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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  i^otes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  L?s  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


n 


□ 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couiour 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  Mure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires: 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 


D 
D 

D 


v/ 


D 
D 


Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolordes,  tachet^es  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Qualitd  indgale  de  ('impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppldmentaire 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  imjge/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure. 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  fapon  ii 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

SOX 

v/ 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


aire 

>  details 
|ues  du 
t  modifier 
iger  une 
9  filmage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grSce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


1/ 
u6es 


Original  conies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  film^s  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commengant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^'^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END  "), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


lire 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m^thode. 


by  errata 
led  to 

Bnt 

jne  pelure, 

apon  S 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

0^ 


INDIAN  CAPTIVITIES: 

BE  ma  A 

COLLECTION  OF  THE  MOST'  REMARKABLE  NARRATIVES  OF  PERSONS 
TAKEN  CAPTIVE  BY  THE  NORTH  AMERICAN  INDIANS;  OR  RELA- 
TIONS OF  THOSE  WHO,  BY  STRATAGEM  OR  DESPERATE 
VALOR,  HAVE  EFFECTED  THE  MOST  SURPRISING 
ESCAPES  FROM  THEIR  CRUEL  HANDS. 

TOWIIICHAREADDED, 
NOTES,    HISTORICAL,    BIOGRAPHICAL,  &o. 


BY    SAMUEL    G.    DRAKE 


Hdjipy  t'.i'j  natives  of  iliis  distant  clime, 

Ere  lilmope's  sons  wurts  known  or  Europe's  crimes. 

Churchill. 

'Ti.s  ihoira  to  triumph,  ours  to  die! 
But  mark  me,  Christian,  ere  I  go, 
Thou,  too,  shall  liuve  thy  share  of  woe ! 

Frenbau. 


BOSTON: 
ANTIQUARIAN  BOOKSTORE  AND  INSTITUTE, 

56    C  o  r  n  h  i  1  1. 
1839. 


Entered,  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1839, 

BY     SAMUEL    G.    DRAKE, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachuseits. 


STEREOTYPED    BY 
GEO.    A.   &  J.  CURTIS, 

ftBW  ENOLAND  TYPE  AND   STEREOTYPE  FOUNDRY,   BOSTON, 


READER- 


This  volume  consists  of  entire  Narratives ;  that  is  to  say,  I  have  given 
the  orif^inals  without  the  slightest  abridt^ment ;  nor  have  I  taken  any 
libenies  with  the  laiigua2;e  of  aay  of  them,  which  would  in  the  remotest 
degree  chatige  the  sense  of  a  single  )iris>age,  and  the  instances  are  few  in 
which  I  have  ventured  to  correct  peculiarities  of  expression  ;  yet  I  designed 
that,  with  regard  to  grammatical  accuracy,  there  sliould  be  as  few  faults 
as  the  nature  of  such  a  performance  would  allow.  All  expressions  of  an 
antiquated  date  are  not  altempled  to  be  changed.  Some  redundancies 
have  been  dropped,  which  could  only  have  been  retained  at  the  expense 
of  perspicuity. 

I  am  not  unaware  that  there  may  be  persons  who  •will  doubt  of  the 
propriety  of  laying  before  all  classes  of  the  community  a  work  which 
records  so  much  that  is  shocking  to  humanity  ;  but  the  fashion  of  studying 
the  book  of  Natui ,  has  now  long  obtained,  and  pervades  all  classes.  I 
have  done  no  more  than  to  exhibit  a  page  of  it  in  this  collection.  To 
observe  man  in  his  uncivilized  or  natural  state  offers  an  approach  to  a 
knowledge  of  his  natural  history,  without  which  it  is  hardly  obtained. 

We  find  volumes  upon  volumes  on  the  manners  and  customs  of  the 
Indians,  many  of  the  writers  of  which  would  have  us  believe  they  have 
exhausted  the  subject,  and  consequently  we  need  inquire  no  further ; 
but  whoever  has  travelled  among  distant  tribes,  or  read  the  accounts  of 
intelligent  travellers,  do  not  require  to  be  told  that  the  most  endless  variety 
exists,  and  that  the  manners  and  customs  of  uncultivated  nations  are  no 
more  stationary,  nor  so  mnch  so,  as  are  those  of  a  civilized  people.  The 
current  of  time  changes  all  thin;^.s.  B  U  we  have  elsewhere  observed* 
that  similar  necessities,  although  in  (iffcrent  nations,  h'  ve  produced 
similar  customs;  such  as  will  stand  through  ages  wiih  '  f'  y  lil'le,  if  any, 
variation.  Neither  is  it  strange  that  simi.'ir  articul-uions  .should  be  found 
m  languages  having  no  other  aflinity,  because  imitations  of  natural 
sounds  must  everywhere  be  the  same.  Hence  it  follows  that  customs 
are  as  various  as  the  face  of  nature  itself. 

A  lecturer  on  the  manners  and  customs  of  certain  tribes  of  Indians  may 
assure  us  that  no  others  observe  certain  liarbarous  rites,  and  that,  as  they 
by  some  sudden  mortality  have  become  extinct,  the  knowledge  of  those 
rites  is  known  to  none  others  save  himself,  and  that  therefore  he  is  the 

*Book  of  the  Indians,  Book  i.,  p.  10. 
1# 


VI 


PREFACE. 


only  person  living  who  can  inform  us  of  thcin.  But  lie  may  be  assurcfi 
that  captives  anil  othi-r  travclk-rs  have  witnessed  customs  anil  ceremonies, 
which,  top;elher  with  their  pcrtoniu  is.  have  passed  away  also.  And  there 
is  another  view  of  the  matter.  Many  a  custom,  as  it  existed  fil'iy  or  a 
hundred  years  n!;^(),  has  become  (|uite  a  ditlievent  ad'air  now.  From  these 
reflections  it  is  easy  to  .see  what  an  endless  taslf  it  wouhl  be  to  describe 
all  of  the  manners  and  customs  of  a  single  tribe  of  Indians,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  thousands  which  have  been  and  still  exist. 

These  observations  have  been  thrown  out  for  th(!  consideration  of  such 
as  may  l)e  lodkin*;;  for  some  great  work  upon  Indian  maimers  and  cnstoms, 
to  comprehend  ail  they  have  been  tauglu  to  cxiiccl,  from  those  who  liavc, 
perhaps,  thought  no  deeper  upon  the  subject  than  themselves.  When  the 
reader  shall  have  perused  the  following  narratives,  I  doubt  not  he  will  be 
convinced  of  the  truth  i.f  what  has  here  been  delivered. 

This  is  truly  an  age  of  essay  writing,  and  v;e  have  them  in  abundance 
upon  every  thing  and  nothing,  instead  of  facts  Avhicli  should  be  remem- 
bered. If  a  new  work  upon  travels  or  histoiy  appears,  we  shall  doubtless 
be  delighted  with  descriptions  of  elegant  scenery  and  splendid  sketches 
about  general  matters,  but  arise  from  its  perusal  about  as  ignorant  of  the 
events  of  the  history  we  desire  as  before.  Compositions  of  this  descrip- 
tion form  no  part  of  these  pages. 

I  have  on  other  occasions  stood  out  boldly  in  favor  of  the  oppressed 
Indian,  and  I  know  that  a  book  of  Indian  Captivities  is  calculated  to 
exhibit  their  character  in  no  very  favorable  ligh  ;  but  the  reader  should 
remember  that,  in  the  following  narratives,  it  is  not  J  who  speak ;  yet  I 
believe  that,  with  very  small  allowances,  these  narratives  art  entirely 
true.  The  errors,  if  any,  will  be  found  only  errors  of  judgment,  Avhich 
affect  not  their  veracity. 

A  people  whose  whole  lives  are  spent  in  war,  and  who  live  by  a  con- 
tinual slaughter  of  all  kinds  of  animals,  must  necessarily  cultivate  ferocity. 
From  the  nati'ire  of  their  circumstances  they  are  obliged  always  to  be  in 
expectation  of  invasion  ;  living  iu  small  communities,  dispersed  in  small 
parties  of  five  or  ten  upon  hunting  expeditions,  they  are  easily  surprised 
by  an  enemy  of  equal  or  even  a  lesser  force.  Indians,  consequently,  are 
always  speaking  of  strange  Indians  whom  they  know  not,  nor  do  they 
know  whether  such  are  to  appcur  from  one  direction  cr  another.  When 
New  England  was  first  settled,  the  Indians  about  Massachusetts  Bay 
were  in  a  miserable  fright  from  fear  of  the  Tarratines ;  skulking  from 
copse  to  copse  by  day,  and  sleeping  in  loathsome  fens  by  night,  to  avoid 
them.  And  all  the  New  England  Indians  were  in  constant  expectation 
of  the  Mohawks  ;  and  scarce  a  tribe  existed  in  any  part  of  the  country 
who  did  not  constantly  expect  to  be  attacked  by  some  other.  And  such 
was  the  policy  of  those  people  that  no  calculation  could  be  made  upon, 
their  operations  or  pretensions,  inasmuch  as  the  honor  of  an  action  de- 


4^ 

\ 


PREFACE. 


VII 


le  upon 
kion  de- 


pended on  the  manner  in  which  it  was  excruted.  No  credit  was  obtained 
by  ojx'ii  combat,  but  he  that  couhl  ensnare  and  smile  an  unsuspecting 
enemy  was  hitrhly  to  be  commended. 

It  must  have  very  often  liappcned  that  tlic  people  surprised  l<new 
nothing'  of  any  reason  why  they  were  so  deaU  with,  and  the  injury  for 
which  ilicy  sull'ered  may  have  been  committed  by  their  ancestors  hmg 
before  tlu-y  had  existence  ;  and  the  only  sure  means  a  tribe  had  to  avert 
retaliaiioii  was  extermination!  Hence  the  perpetual  warfare  of  these 
people. 

As  there  are  a  few  other  collections  o^"  Indian  Narratives  of  a  similar 
character  to  this,  it  may  be  necessary  to  advertise  the  reader  that  such  are 
similar  in  title  only  ;  lor  in  those  collections  the  compilers  speak  for  their 
captives,  whereas,  in  bis,  they  speak  for  themselves.  Those  collectors 
have  not  cmly  taken  upon  themselves  to  s/xak  fur  their  captives  f)r  heroes, 
but  have  so  abridged  the  majority  of  -ir  narratives  that  the  perusal 
of  them  only  gives  dissatisfaction  ev.  .1  to  the  general  reader.  Mr. 
McClung's  "  Sketcher  of  Western  Adventure"  is  a  work  of  thrilling 
interest,  but  its  value  is  entirely  lost  in  particular  instances  from  the 
above  considerations.  Dr.  Metcalf  was  earlier,  and  set  out  right,  but 
looked  back  with  his  hand  to  the  plougn.  I  know  of  no  others  worthy  of 
notice. 

As  several  prominent  narratives  may  be  looked  for  in  this  collection 
without  success,  such  as  those  of  Hannah  Duston,  Rev.  John  Williams, 
^c,  it  will  be  proper  to  apprize  the  reader  that  those,  and  many  others, 
are  contained  in  the  Book  of  the  Indians. 

I  did  not  design  to  notice  the  works  of  others,  in  Indian  history,  in  this 
introduction  ;  but  accidentally  falling  upon  some  acts  of  pre-eminent  injus- 
tice to  my  former  labor^ ,  committed  by  several  compilers,  whose  works, 
from  their  peculiar  point  of  emanation,  or  ostentatious  external  attractions, 
arc  calculated  to  fix  in  the  minds  of  iheir  readers  wrong  impressions  in 
respect  lo  the  sources  whence  they  have  drawn  their  infonnation,  I  could 
not,  m  justice  to  myself,  let  them  pass  without  a  notice.  For  an  author 
to  spe  i  many  of  his  best  years  in  the  most  laborious  investigations  to 
brill.,  oat  ■!  train  of  i'acts  up(»n  an  important  inquiry,  which,  in  all  proba- 
bility, no  other  would  ever  have  taken  the  pains  to  have  done,  from  the 
peculiar  nature  and  dilliculty  of  the  undertaking,  or  situation  of  the  mate- 
rials out  of  which  he  had  brought  them,  and  then  to  see  them,  no  sooner 
than  produced,  transferred  to  the  pages  of  others  without  even  a  demand 
for  them  upon  their  author,  is  matter  of  which  I  complain,  and,  to  say  the 
least,  is  too  barefav^ed  a  piracy  even  for  this  age  of  freebooting  in  matters 
of  literature.  Had  the  author  of  the  Book  of  the  Indians  been  dead, 
leaving  but  a  single  copy  of  his  work  behind,  and  that  an  unp  abli.shed 
manuscript,  some  of  the  compilers,  to  whom  I  allude,  could  scarcely  have 
been  freer  lU  their  use  of  it  without  the  hope  of  detection.     No  charge  is 


Vlll 


PREFACE. 


here  intended  against  such  as  have  copied  whole  pages  into  their  own 
woFKs,  where  ihoy  have  even  acknowledged  their  source  of  informatiou ; 
but  I  would  point  the  eyes  of  all  such  as  may  read  this  to  their  (>wn 
pages,  whirh  have  been  transft'rred  from  that  work,  or  so  concocted  out 
of  it  as  to  induce  the  belief  that  it  was  the  fruits  of  their  own  labor.  Such 
compilers,  doubtless,  presume  only  iheir  own  works  will  be  read  on  the 
subject  of  the  Indians  ;  or  that  the  obscure  and  humble  author  of  the 
Book  of  the  Indians  had  no  n^eans  of  exposing  their  piracies.  And  even 
now,  "after  all  said  and  done,"  perhaps  Queen  Victoria  will  never  read 
this  preface,  or  compare  the  pages  of  the  great  folio  "  Biography  and 
History  of  the  Indiaiis"  with  those  of  the  Book  of  the  Indians;  yet  there 
may  be  those  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  who  may  be  benefited  by  this, 
though  indirect,  information.  Besides,  I  am  too  late  now  to  send  a  book 
to  her  majesty,  with  the  slightest  prospect  of  her  ever  reading  it,  for  the 
very  reason  that  she  has  already  several  books  by  American  authors  on 
hand !  And  if  she  has  read  even  one,  is  it  to  be  presumed  she  would 
ever  read  another?  M(jreover,  what  would  she  care  whether  Col.  Stone 
gave  me  credit  for  a  fact,  or  Mr.  Thacher,  or  Henry  Trumbull  ? 


9 
CONTENTS. 

The  following  Table  contains  the  names  of  the  captives,  the  lime  of 

tlicir  being  taken,  ami  tlie  duration  of  their  captivity,  where  the  dales 

could  hv  ascertained. 

N.iinr  of  ('ii|iiivn.          1  VVIk'ii  liikiiii.  1            VVIilto.              |      'riiim  ri'laiiiftl. 

l'a^c 

Joiili  Ol't./ 

l.OL'H 

Florida 

Nine  years 

11 

]\I;iry  lluwlaiidson 

lOFeb.KiVO 

Lancaster,  I\Iass. 

Tol2  April,l()7f. 

2U 

Quinlin  Stockwell 

19Sep.l()77 

Deerfield,  Ma.ss. 

About  one  year 

f.O 

Sarah  (Jcrish 

28  June,  '&'.» 

Dover,  N.  H. 

Six  months 

70 

[•:ii/nbcih  Heard 

2HJune,'S<l 

Dover,  N.  H. 

R<Miiark'c  escape 

71 

.lobii  (iylcs 

2  Aug.  ItiN'.i 

Peinuiaiiuid.iMe. 

Six  years 

73 

Ivobcrt  Kogers 

27  Mar.  'iiO 

Salmon  Falls,  N. 
|lliim|)shire. 

Torlur'd  to  death 

109 

.Alchi'lable  Goodwin 

27    "    WM) 

Sal.  Fall.N,  N.H. 

Five  years 

HI 

'riwniris  'roiig'""' 

27    ''■    liV.iil 

Sal.  Falls,  N.H. 

Fortuiia!iM\scape 

112 

KlizjilH'th  lliUisoii 

27Jiin.i72l  Dover,  N.  11. 

One  yr.  iV  t')day> 

u:; 

Nchi'iiiiuh  llow 

1 1  Oct.  17  l.J 

Great  Meadows. 
[Mass. 

Died  in  captivity 

127 

Maiy  Fowler 

22Ap.  l7in'lIopkimon,N.H. 

Six  months 

lU) 

.lohil  Fitch 

July,     17l()  Asliby.  Mass. 

To  close  (d' war 

139 

isiibi'lia  M'Coy 

21  An.  1717 

EpsoiM,  N.  H. 

To  close  of  war 

113 

Peter  Williamson 

2  Oct.  1751 

Delaware  Forks, 
[Pa. 

One  year  and  .'! 
[months. 

117 

Jemima  ITowc 

27  Jul.  17').'5 

Hinsdale,  N.  H. 

About  five  yeiis 

lOl') 

Frances  Nol)le 

About  17j5  Swan  Island.  3Ie. 

About  12  years 

lf,5 

Caj)t.  Jona.  Carver 

9  Aug.  17.').')  I'l.  Win.  Henrj- 

?da(le  his  escape 

172 

Col.  James  Smith 

3ray,     17.5')  Bed  lord,  Pa. 

vMioiit  SIX  years 

I7M 

Robert  Eastburn 

27  xMar.  '5(i  Williams' Ft.  Pa. 

2  yrs.  i'^-;  8  mo'.s. 

21  ■)5 

A  ]\rrs.  Clendenin 

Year     17('»:>; Green  Brier,  Va. 

Escaped 

2Hl 

Alexander  Henry 

I  Junc;17():? 

3Iichiliinarkinac 

About  one  year 

28(3 

Frederick  Manheim 

19  Oct.  1779 

Near     Johnston, 
[N.  Y. 

333 

Experience  Bozarth 

March,  1779 

Dunkard'sCreek, 
[Kentucky. 

Great  prowess 

331 

John  Corbly 

May,    1782 

Muddy  Crk.  Ky. 

Escape 

335 

Frances  Scott 

29Jun.l78r) 

Wa,sh'n.  Co.,  Va. 

Escape 

337 

Capt.  Wm.  Hubbell 

23  Mar.  '91 

Ohio  river 

Desp.  encounter 

342 

Massy  Herbeson 

22  Ma.  1792 

Escape 

349 

Serg.  L.  Munson 

17  Oct. 1793 

Near  Fort  JefTer- 
[son,  Ohio. 

Escape,  8  mo's. 

o52 

Ransom  Clark 

28  Dec. 1835 

Florida   [House. 

Escape 

355 

J.  W.B.Thompson 

23  Jul.  1836 

Cape  Florida  Lt.  Escape                ' 

357 

I 


INDIAN    CAPTIVITIES. 


NARRATIVE 


OF  THE  CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  ORTIZ,  A  SPANIARD,  W  40  WAS 
ELEVEN  YEARS  A  PRISONER  AMONG  THE  INDIANS  OF 
FLORIDA. 

In  the  year  1528  Paniphilo  de  Narvaez,  with  a  commission, 
constituting  him  frovernor  of  Florida,  or  "  all  the  lands  lying 
from  the  river  of  Palms  to  the  cape  of  Florida,"  sailed  for  that 
country  with  400  foot  and  20  liorse,  in  five  ships.  W^iih  this 
expedition  went  a  Spaniard,  named  John  Ortiz,  a  native  of 
Seville,  whose  connections  were  among  the  nobility  of  Castile- 
Although  we  have  no  account  of  what  part  Ortiz  acted  in 
Narvaez's  expedition,  or  liow  he  escaped  its  disastrous  i<suc, 
yet  it  may  not  be  deemed  out  of  place  to  notice  briefly  here 
that  issue. 

This  Narvaez  had  acquired  some  notoriety  hy  the  manner  in 
which  he  had  executed  a  commission  against  Cortez.  He  had 
been  ordered  by  the  governor  of  Cuba  to  seize  the  destroyer 
of  Mexico,  but  was  himself  overthrown  and  de-erted  by  his 
men.  On  falling  into  the  hands  of  Cortez,  his  arrogance  did 
not  forsake  him,  and  he  addressed  him  thus  :  "  Esteem  it  good 
fortune  that  you  have  taken  me  prisoner."  "  Nay,"  replied 
Cortez,  "  it  is  the  least  of  the  things  I  have  done  in  Mexico." 
To  return  to  the  expedition  of  which  we  have  promised  to 
speak. 

Narvaez  landed  in  Florida  not  very  far  from,  or  perhaps  at 
the  bay  of  Apalachee,  in  the  month  of  April,  and  marched 
into  the  country  with  his  men.  They  knew  no  other  direction 
but  that  pointed  out  by  the  Indians,  whom  they  compelled  to 
act  as  guides.     Their  first  disappointment  was  on  their  arrival 


12 


CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  ORTIZ. 


at  the  village  of  Apalachee,  where,  instead  of  a  splendid  town, 
filled  with  immense  treasure,  as  they  had  anticipated,  they 
found  only  about  40  Indian  wigwams,  When  they  visited 
one  Indian  town  its  inhabitants  would  get  rid  of  them  by  tell- 
ing them  of  another,  where  their  wants  would  be  gratified. 
Such  was  the  manner  in  which  Narvaez  and  his  companions 
rambled  over  SOO  miles  of  country,  in  about  six  months'  time,  at 
a  vast  expense  of  men  and  necessaries  which  they  carried  with 
them  ;  for  the  Indians  annoyed  them  at  every  pass,  not  only 
cutting  olT  many  of  the  men,  but  seizing  on  their  baggage  up- 
on every  occasion  which  offered.  Being  now  arrived  upon  the 
coast,  in  a  wretched  condition,  they  constructed  some  miserable 
barks  corresponding  with  their  means,  in  which  none  but  men 
in  such  extremities  would  embark.  In  these  they  coasted  toward 
New  Spain.  When  they  came  near  the  mouths  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi they  were  ca^t  away  in  a  storm,  and  all  but  15  of  their 
number  perisht  u.  Out  of  these  15,  4  only  lived  to  reach 
Mexico,  and  these  after  8  years  wholly  spent  in  wanderings 
from  place  to  place,  enduring  incredible  hardships  and  mise- 
ries. 

The  next  year  after  the  end  of  Narvaez's  expedition,  the 
intelligence  of  his  disaster  having  reached  his  wife,  whom  he 
left  in  Cuba,  she  fitted  out  a  small  company,  consisting  of  20 
or  30  men,  who  sailed  in  a  bri£,antine  to  search  after  him, 
hoping  some  fortuitous  circumstance  might  have  prolonged  his 
existence  upon  the  coast,  and  that  he  might  be  found.  Of  this 
number  was  John  Ortiz,  the  subject  of  this  narrative. 

On  their  arrival  there,  they  sought  an  opportunity  to  have 
an  interview  with  the  first  Indians  they  should  meet.  Oppor- 
tunity immediately  offered,  and  as  soon  as  Indians  were  dis- 
covered, the  Spaniards  advanced  towards  them  in  their  boats, 
while  the  Indians  came  down  to  the  sho^^  These  wily  peo- 
ple practised  a  stratagem  upon  this  occasion,  which  to  this  day 
seems  a  mysterious  one,  and  we  have  no  means  of  explain- 
'no-  it. 

Three  oi  four  Indians  came  near  the  shore,  and  setting  a 
stick  iii  the  ground,  placed  in  a  cleft  in  its  top  a  letter,  and 
withdrawing  a  little  distance,  made  signs  to  the  Spaniards  to 
come  and  take  it.  All  the  company,  except  John  Ortiz  and  one 
more,  refused  to  go  out  for  the  letter,  rightly  judging  it  to  be 
used  only  to  ensnare  them  ;  but  Ortiz,  presuming  it  was  from 
Narvaez,  and  containing  some  account  of  himself,  would  not 
be  persuaded  from  venturing  on  shore  to  bring  it,  although  all 
the  rest  but  the  one  who  accompanied  him  strenuously  argued 
against  it. 

Now  there  was  an  Indian  village  very  near  this  place,  and 


i 


CAPTIVITY  OF   JOHN   ORTIZ. 


13 


endid  tovvii, 
ipated,  they 
hey  visited 
lem  by  tell- 
e  gratified, 
companions 
Lhs'  time,  at 
:arried  with 
3S,  not  only 
)aggage  up- 
3d  upon  the 
le  miserable 
ne  but  men 
sted  toward 
of  the  Mis- 
15  of  their 
d  to  reach 
wanderings 
3  and  mise- 

edition,  the 
e,  whom  he 
sting  of  20 
after  him, 
3longed  his 

Of  this 
e. 
ity  to  have 

Oppor- 
s  were  dis- 
heir  boats, 
J  wily  peo- 
to  this  day 
3f  explain- 

I  setting  a 
letter,  and 
)aniards  to 
iz  and  one 
ng  it  to  be 
was  from 
would  not 
hough  all 
;ly  argued 

)lace,  and 


no  sooner  had  Ortiz  and  his  companion  advanced  to  the  place 
where  the  letter  was  displayed,  than  a  multitudo  carnc  rnniiiiig 
from  it,  and  surrounding  tlieni,  seized  cn<;etlv  U])on  them. 
The  number  of  the  Indians  was  so  great,  that  the  Spaniards 
ill  the  vessels  did  not  dare  to  attempt  to  rescue  them,  and  saw 
them  carried  forcibly  awav.  In  this  first  onset  the  man  who 
acconipnnieti  Ortiz  was  K  .led,  he  having  made  resistance  when 
he  was  seized. 

Not  far  from  the  place  where  they  were  made  prisoners,  was 
another  Indian  town,  or  village,  consisting  of  aiiont  8  or  10 
houses  or  wigwams.  These  houses  were  made  of  wood,  and 
covered  with  palm-leaves.  At  one  end  of  this  village  there 
was  a  building,  which  the  caj)tive  called  a  temple,  but  of  what 
dimensions  it  was  he  makes  no  mention.  Over  the  door  of 
entrance  into  this  temple  there  was  placed  the  figure  of  a  bird, 
carved  out  in  wood,  and  it  was  especially  surprising  that  this 
bird  had  gilded  eyes.  No  attempt  is  made  by  Ortiz  even  to 
conjecture  how  or  by  whom  the  art  of  gilding  was  practised, 
in  this  wild  and  distant  region,  nor  does  he  mention  meeting 
with  any  other  specimen  of  that  art  durinfr  bis  captivity.  At 
the  opposite  extremity  of  this  village  stood  the  house  of  the 
chief,  or  cazique,  as  he  was  often  called,  upon  an  eminence, 
raised,  as  it  was  supposed,  for  a  fortification.  These  things  re- 
mained the  same  ten  years  afterwards,  and  are  mentioned  by 
the  historian  of  Fernando  De  Soto's  Invasion  of  Florida.  The 
name  of  the  chief  of  this  village  was  Ucita,  bel'bre  whom  was 
presented  the  captive,  Ortiz,  who  was  condemned  to  suffer  im- 
mediate death. 

The  manner  of  his  death  was  by  torture,  w^hich  was  to  be 
effected  in  this  wise.  The  executioners  set  four  stakes  in  the 
grotmd,  and  to  these  they  fastened  four  poles  ;  the  captive  was 
then  taken,  and  with  his  arms  and  legs  extended,  was  by  them 
bound  to  these  poles,  at  such  a  distance  from  the  ground,  that 
a  fire,  made  directly  under  him,  would  be  a  long  time  in  con- 
suming him.  Never  did  a  poor  victim  look  with  greater  cer- 
tainty to  death  for  relief,  than  did  .lohn  Ortiz  at  thi.-  tiir.p. 
The  fire  had  already  begun  to  rage,  when  a  most  remaikable 
circumstance  happened  to  save  his  life — a  daughter  ot  the 
stern  Ucita  arose  and  plead  for  him.  Among  other  things  she 
said  these  to  her  father:  "My  kind  father,  why  kill  this  poor 
stranger?  he  can  do  you  nor  any  of  us  any  injury,  seeing  he 
is  but  one  and  alone.  It  i:.  better  that  you  should  keep  him 
confined  ;  for  even  in  that  condition  he  may  sometime  be  of 
great  service  to  you."  The  chief  was  silent  for  a  short  time, 
but  finally  ordered  him  to  be  released  from  his  place  of  torture. 
They  had  no  sooner  taken   the   thongs  from  his  wrists  and 


14 


CAPTIVITY  OF   JOHN  ORTIZ. 


ankles,  than  they  proceeded  to  wash  and  dress  his  wounds,  and 
to  do  things  to  make  him  comfortable. 

As  soon  as  his  wounds  were  healed,  Ortiz  was  stationed  at 
the  entrance  of  the  temple,  before  mentioned,  to  i^uard  it 
against  such  as  were  not  allowed  to  enter  there  ;  Ijut  espe- 
cially to  guard  its  being  profaned  by  wild  beasts  ;  for  as  it  was 
a  place  of  sacrifices,  wolves  were  its  constant  visitors.  He  had 
not  long  been  in  this  office,  when  an  event  occurred,  which 
threw  him  into  great  consternation.  Human  victims  were 
brought  in  as  sacrifices  and  deposited  here  ;  and  not  long  after 
Ortiz  had  been  placed  as  sentinel,  the  body  of  a  young  Indian 
was  brought  and  laid  upon  a  kind  of  sarcophagus,  which, 
from  the  multitudes  that  had  from  time  to  time  been  ofTei'd 
there,  was  surrounded  with  blood  and  bones!  a  most  rueful 
sight,  as  ever  any  eye  beheld ! — here  an  arm  fresh  torn  from 
its  place,  reeking  with  blood,  another  exhibiting  but  bone  and 
sinews  from  the  mangling  jaws  of  wild  beasts  !  Such  was 
the  place  he  was  ordered  to  guard,  through  day  and  night — 
doomed  to  sit  himself  down  among  this  horrible  assemblage 
of  the  dead.  When  left  alone  he  reflected  that  his  escape 
from  fire  was  not  so  fortunate  for  him  as  he  had  hoped  ;  for 
now,  his  naturally  superstitious  mind  was  haunted  by  the  pres- 
ence of  innumerable  ghosts,  who  stalked  in  every  place,  and 
which  he  had  from  his  youth  been  taught  to  believe  were  capa- 
ble of  doing  him  all  manner  of  injuries,  even  to  the  depriving 
of  life. 

There  was  no  reflection  in  those  remote  ages  of  the  real 
situation  of  all  the  living,  in  respect  to  the  great  valley  of  death 
in  which  all  beings  are  born  and  nursed,  and  which  no  length 
of  years  is  sufficient  to  carry  them  through.  Let  us  for  a  mo- 
ment cast  our  eyes  around  us.  Where  are  we  ?  Not  in  the 
same  temple  with  Ortiz,  but  in  one  equally  vast.  We  can  see 
nothing  but  death  in  every  place.  The  very  ground  we  walk 
upon  is  composed  of  the  decayed  limbs  of  our  own  species,  with 
those  of  a  hundred  others.  A  succession  of  animals  have  been 
rising  and  falling  for  many  thousand  years  in  all  parts  of  the 
world.  They  have  died  all  around  us — in  our  very  places. 
We  do  not  distinctly  behold  the  hands,  the  feet,  or  the  bones  of 
them,  because  they  have  crumbled  to  dust  beneath  our  feet. 
And  cannot  the  ghosts  of  these  as  well  arise  as  of  those  slain 
yesterday  ?     The  affirmative  cannot  be  denied. 

As  we  have  said,  Ortiz  found  himself  snatched  from  one 
dreadful  death,  only,  as  he  imagined,  to  be  thrust  into  the  jaws 
of  another,  yet  more  terrible.  Experience,  however,  soon 
proved  to  him,  that  the  dead,  at  least  those  with  whom  he  was 
forced   to  dwell,  either  could  or  would  not  send  forth  their 


7^ 


CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  ORTIZ. 


15 


ounds,  and 

;ationed  at 
'    guard    it 

but  espe- 
r  as  it  was 
s.  He  had 
red,  which 
tims  were 
t  long  after 
mg  Indian 
us,  which, 
3en  ofTej.'d 
lost  rueful 

torn  from 
:  bone  and 
Such  was 
d  night — 
ssemblage 
lis  escape 
loped  ;  for 
y  the  pres- 
place,  and 
^vere  capa- 

depriving 

f  the  real 

y  of  death 

no  length 

for  a  mo- 

•"fot  in  the 

^e  can  see 

we  walk 

cies,  with 

lave  been 

rts  of  the 

y  places. 

bones  of 

our  feet. 

ose  slain 

from  one 
the  jaws 
v^er,  soon 
n  he  was 
rth  their 


I 


I 


spirits  in  any  other  shape  than  such  phantoms  as  his  own  mind 
created,  in  dreams  and  reveries.  Wc  can  accustom  ourselves 
to  almost  anything,  and  it  was  not  long  before  our  captive 
contempla'i  jd  the  dead  bodies  with  v;hich  he  was  surrounded, 
with  about  the  same  indifference  as  he  did  the  walls  of  the 
temple  that  encompassed  them. 

How  long  after  Ortiz  had  been  placed  to  guard  the  temple 
of  sacrifices  the  following  fearful  midnight  adventure  hap- 
pened, we  have  no  means  of  stating  with  certainty,  nor  is  it 
very  material ;  it  is,  however,  according  to  his  own  account,  as 
follows :  A  young  Indian  had  been  killed  and  his  body  placed 
in  this  temple.  Late  one  night,  Ortiz  found  it  closely  invested 
by  wolves,  which,  in  spite  of  all  his  efforts,  entered  the  place, 
and  carried  away  the  body  of  the  Indian.  The  fright  and  the 
darkness  were  so  heavy  upon  Ortiz  that  he  knew  not  that  the 
body  was  missing  until  morning.  It  appears,  however,  that  he 
recovered  himself,  S3ized  a  heavy  cudgel,  which  he  had  pre- 
pared at  hand,  and  commenced  a  general  attack  upon  the  beasts 
in  the  temple,  and  not  only  drove  them  out,  but  pursued  them 
a  good  way  from  the  place.  In  the  pursuit  he  came  up  with 
one  which  he  gave  a  mortal  blow,  although  he  did  not  know  it 
at  the  time.  Having  returned  from  this  hazardous  adventure 
to  the  temple,  he  impatiently  awaited  the  return  of  daylight. 
When  the  day  dawned,  great  was  his  distress  at  the  discovery 
of  the  loss  of  the  body  of  the  dead  Indian,  which  was  especially 
aggravated,  because  it  was  the  son  of  a  great  chief. 

When  the  news  of  this  afTair  came  to  the  ears  of  Ucita,  he 
at  once  resolved  to  have  Ortiz  put  to  death ;  but  before  execut- 
ing his  purpose  he  sent  out  several  Indians  to  pursue  after  the 
wolves,  to  recover,  if  possible,  the  sacrifice.  Contrary  to  all 
expectation,  the  body  was  found,  and  not  far  from  it  the  body  of 
a  huge  wolf  also.  When  Ucita  learned  these  facts,  he  coun- 
termanded the  order  for  his  execution. 

Three  long  years  was  Ortiz  doomed  to  watch  this  wretched 
temple  of  the  dead.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  was  relieved 
only  by  the  overthrow  of  the  power  of  Ucita.  This  was  ef- 
fected by  a  war  between  the  two  rival  chiefs,  Ucita  and  Mo- 
coso. 

The  country  over  which  Mocoso  reigned  was  only  two  days' 
journey  from  that  of  Ucita,  and  separated  from  it  by  a  large 
river  or  estuary.  Mocoso  came  upon  the  village  of  Ucita  in 
the  night  with  an  army,  and  attacked  his  castle,  and  took 
it,  and  also  the  rest  of  his  town.  Ucita  and  his  people  fled 
from  it  with  all  speed,  and  the  warriors  of  Mocoso  burnt 
it  to  the  ground.  Ucita  had  another  village  upon  the  coast, 
not  far  from  the  former,  to  which  he  and  his  people  fled,  and 


^ 


16 


CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  ORTIZ. 


were  not  pursued  by  their  enemies.  Soon  after  he  had  esta- 
blished himself  in  his  new  reisidcncc,  he  resolved  upon  making 
a  sacrifice  of  Ortiz.  Here  ac^ain  he  was  wonderfully  preserved, 
by  the  same  kind  friend  that  had  delivered  him  at  the  begin- 
ning of  his  captivity.  The  daughter  of  the  chief,  knowing 
her  intreaties  would  avail  nothing  with  her  father,  determined 
to  aid  him  to  make  an  escape ;  accordingly,  she  had  prepared 
the  way  for  his  reception  with  her  father's  enemy,  Mocoso. 
She  found  means  to  pilot  him  secretly  out  of  her  father's  vil- 
lage, and  accompanied  him  a  league  or  so  on  his  way,  and 
then  left  him  with  directions  how  to  proceed  to  the  residence 
of  Mocoso.  Having  travelled  all  night  as  fast  as  he  could, 
Ortiz  found  himself  next  morning  upon  the  borders  of  the  river 
which  bounded  the  territories  of  the  two  rival  chiefs.  He  was 
now  thrown  into  great  trouble,  for  he  could  not  proceed  farther 
without  discovery,  two  of  jNIocoso's  men  being  then  fishing  in 
the  river  ;  and,  although  he  came  as  a  friend,  yet  he  had  no 
way  to  make  that  known  to  them,  i.ot  understanding  their  lan- 
guage, nor  having  means  wherewith  to  discover  his  character 
by  a  sign.  At  length  he  observed  their  arms,  which  they  had 
left  at  considerabi ,'  distance  from  ihe  place  where  they  then 
were.  Therefore,  as  his  only  chance  of  succeeding  in  his  en- 
terprise, he  crept  slyly  up  and  seized  their  arms  to  prevent 
their  injuring  him.  When  they  saw  this  they  fled  with  all 
speed  towards  their  town.  Ortiz  followed  them  for  some  dis- 
tance, trying  by  language  as  well  as  by  signs  to  make  them 
understand  that  he  only  wished  protection  with  them,  but  all 
in  vain,  and  he  gave  up  the  pursuit  and  waited  quietly  the 
result.  It  was  not  long  before  a  large  party  came  running 
armed  towards  him,  and  when  they  approached,  he  was  obliged 
to  cover  himself  behind  trees  to  avoid  their  arrows.  Never- 
theless his  chance  of  being  killed  seemed  certain,  and  that 
very  speedily ;  but  it  providentially  happened,  that  there  was 
an  Indian  among  them  who  now  surrounded  him,  who  under- 
stood the  language  in  which  he  spoke,  and  thus  he  was  again 
rescued  from  another  perilous  situation. 

Having  now  surrendered  himself  into  the  hands  of  the  In- 
dians, four  of  their  number  were  dispatched  to  carry  the  tidings 
to  Mocoso,  and  to  learn  his  pleasure  in  regard  to  the  disposition 
to  be  made  of  him ;  but  instead  of  sending  any  word  of  direc- 
tion, Mocoso  went  himself  out  to  meet  Ortiz.  When  he  came 
to  him,  he  expressed  great  joy  at  seeing  him,  and  made  every 
profession  that  he  would  treat  him  well.  Ortiz,  however,  had 
seen  enough  of  Indians  to  warn  him  against  a  too  implicit 
confidence  in  his  pretensions ;  and  what  added  in  iio  small 
degree  to  his  doubts  about  his  future  destiny,  was  this  very 


■-^ 


CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  ORTIZ. 


17 


!  had  c sta- 
in making 
preserved, 
the  bcgin- 
,  knowing 
letermined 
d  prepared 
y,  Mocoso. 
alher's  vil- 
s  way,  and 
2  residence 
s  he  could, 
of  the  river 
i.     He  was 
•ecd  farther 
n  fishing  in 
I  he  had  no 
CT  their  Ian- 
is  character 
:h  they  had 
6  they  then 
fr  in  his  en- 
5  to  prevent 
led  with  all 
or  some  dis- 
make  them 
lem,  but  all 
quietly  the 
me   running 
was  obliged 
,vs.     Never- 
in,  and  that 
it  there  was 
who  under- 
le  was  again 

Is  of  the  In- 
y  the  tidings 
e  disposition 
ord  of  direc- 
len  he  came 
made  every 
owever,  had 
too  implicit 
in  iio  small 
ras  this  very 


extraordinary  circumstance.  Immediately  after  the  preliminary 
congratulations  were  over,  the  chief  made  him  take  an  oath, 
"  after  the  manner  of  Christians,"  that  he  would  not  run  away 
from  him  to  seek  out  another  master  ;  to  which  he  very  readily 
assented.  At  the  same  time  Mocof^o,  on  his  part,  promised 
Ortiz  that  he  would  not  only  treat  him  with  due  kindness,  but, 
that  if  ever  an  opportunity  offered  by  which  he  could  return  to 
his  own  people,  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  assist  him  in 
it ;  and,  to  keep  his  word  inviolate,  he  swore  to  what  he  had 
promised,  "  after  the  manner  of  the  Indians."  Nevertheless, 
our  captive  looked  upon  all  this  in  no  other  light  than  as  a 
piece  of  cunning,  resorted  to  by  the  chief,  to  make  him  only  a 
contented  slave ;  but  we  shall  see  by  the  sequel,  that  this  In- 
dian chief  dealt  not  in  European  guile,  and  that  he  was  actuated 
only  by  benevolence  of  heart. 

Three  years  more  soon  passed  over  the  head  of  Ortiz,  and 
he  experienced  nothing  but  kindness  and  liberty.  He  spent 
his  time  in  wandering  over  the  delightful  savannahs  of  Florida, 
and  through  the  mazes  of  the  palmetto,  and  beneath  the  re- 
freshing shades  of  the  wide-spreading  magnolia — pursuing 
the  deer  in  the  twilight  of  morning,  and  the  scaly  fry  in  the 
silver  lakes  in  the  cool  of  the  evening.  In  all  this  time  we 
hear  of  nothing  remarkable  that  happened  to  Ortiz,  or  to  the 
chief  or  his  people.  When  war  or  famine  does  not  disturb  the 
quiet  of  Indians  they  enjoy  themselves  to  the  full  extent  of 
their  natures — perfectly  at  leisure,  and  ready  to  devote  days 
together  to  the  entertainment  of  themselves,  and  any  travel- 
lers or  friends  that  may  sojourn  with  them. 

About  the  close  of  the  first  three  years  of  Ortiz's  sojourning 
with  the  tribe  of  Indians  under  Mocoso,  there  came  startling 
intelligence  into  their  village,  and  alarm  and  anxiety  sat  im- 
patiently upon  the  brow  of  all  the  inhabitants.  This  was 
occasioned  by  the  arrival  of  a  runner,  who  gave  information 
that  as  some  of  Mocoso's  men  were  in  their  canoes  a  great  way 
out  at  sea  fishing,  they  had  discovered  ships  of  the  white  men 
approaching  their  coast.  Mocoso,  after  communing  with  him- 
self a  short  time,  went  to  Ortiz  with  the  information,  which, 
when  he  had  imparted  it  to  him,  caused  peculiar  sensatioi  s  in 
his  breast,  and  a  brief  struggle  with  conflicting  feelings  ;  for 
one  cannot  forget  his  country  and  kindred,  nor  can  he  forget 
his  savior  and  protector.  In  short,  Mocoso  urged  him  to  ro  to 
the  coast  and  see  if  he  could  make  a  discovery  of  the  onips. 
This  proceeding  on  the  part  of  the  chief  silenced  the  fears  of 
Ortiz,  and  he  set  out  upon  the  discovery  ;  but  when  he  had 
spent  several  days  of  watchfulness  and  eager  exp>iv:tation,  with- 
out seeing  or  gaining  any  other  intelligence  of  ships,  he  was 

2* 


18 


CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  ORTIZ. 


ready  to  accuse  the  chief  of  practising  deception  upon  him,  to 
try  his  iidelity  ;  he  was  soon  strlisfied,  however,  that  lii?  sus- 
picions were  without  foundation,  although  no  other  information 
was  ever  gained  of  ships  at  that  time. 

At  length,  when  six  years  more  had  elapsed,  nev  s  of  a  less 
doubtful  character  was  brought  to  the  village  of  Moeoso.  It 
was,  that  some  white  people  had  actually  landed  upon  their 
coast,  and  had  possessed  themselves  of  the  village  of  Ucibta, 
and  driven  out  him  and  his  men.  Mocoso  immediately  im- 
parted ihis  information  to  Ortiz,  who,  presuming  it  was  an  idle 
tale,  as  upon  the  former  occasion,  afTected  to  care  nothing  for 
it,  and  told  his  chief  that  no  wordly  thing  would  induce  him  to 
leave  his  present  master ;  but  Mocoso  persisted,  and  among 
arguments  advanced  this,  that  he  had  done  his  duty,  and  that 
if  Ortiz  would  not  go  out  and  seek  his  white  brethren,  and 
they  should  leave  the  country,  and  him  behind,  he  could  not 
blame  him,  and  withal  seriously  confirming  the  news.  In  the 
end  he  concluded  to  go  out  once  more,  and  after  thanking  his 
chief  for  his  great  kindness,  set  off,  with  twelve  of  his  best 
men  wh  im  Mocoso  had  appointed  for  his  guides,  to  find  the 
white  people. 

When  they  had  proceeded  a  considerable  part  of  the  way, 
they  came  into  a  plain,  and  suddenly  in  sight  of  a  party  of  120 
men,  who  proved  to  be  some  of  those  of  whom  they  had  heard. 
When  they  discovered  Ortiz  and  his  men,  they  pressed  towards 
them  in  warlike  array,  and  although  they  made  every  signal 
of  friendship  in  their  power,  yet  these  white  men  rushed  upon 
them,  barbarously  wounding  two  of  them,  and  the  others  saved 
themselves  only  by  flight.  Ortiz  himself  came  near  being 
killed.  A  horseman  rushed  upon  him,  knocked  him  down, 
and  was  prevented  from  dealing  a  deadly  blow  only  by  a 
timely  ejaculation  in  Spanish  which  he  made.  It  was  in  these 
words  :  "  I  am  a  Christian — do  not  kill  me,  nor  these  poor  men 
who  have  given  me  my  life." 

It  was  not  until  this  moment  that  the  soldiers  discovered 
their  mistake,  of  friends  for  enemies,  for  Ortiz  was,  in  all  ap- 
pearance, an  Indian ;  and  now,  with  the  aid  of  Ortiz,  his  attend- 
ing Indians  were  collected,  and  they  were  all  carried  to  the 
camp  of  the  white  men,  each  riding  behind  a  soldier  upon  his 
horse. 

Ortiz  now  found  himself  among  an  army  of  Spaniards, 
commanded  by  one  Fernando  De  Soto,  who  had  come  into  that 
country  with  a  great  armament  of  1.00  men  in  7  ships,  in  search 
of  riches ;  an  expedition  undertaken  with  great  ostentation, 
raised  by  the  expectation  of  what  it  was  to  afford,  but  it  ended, 
as  all  such  undertakings  should,  in  disgrace  and  mortification. 


I 


.| 


CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  ORTIZ. 


19 


n  him,  to 
L  hi-  sus- 
ontmtion 

of  a  less 

)C()PO.       It 

ipon  their 
)f  Uribta, 
lately  im- 
as  an  idle 
olhinj;'  for 
ice  liirn  to 
nd  among 
',  and  that 
ihren,  and 
!  could  not 
s.     In  the 
anking  his 
)f  his  best 
to  find  the 

f  the  way, 
arty  of  120 
had  heard, 
d  towards 
ery  signal 
shed  upon 
lers  saved 
ear  being 
im  down, 
only  by   a 
as  in  these 
poor  men 

discovered 
in  all  ap- 
his attend- 
ried  to  the 
;r  upon  his 

Spaniards, 
■ne  into  that 
s,  in  search 
ostentation, 
t  it  ended, 
ortification. 


Ll 


Soto  considered  the  acquisition  of  Ortiz  of  very  great  impor- 
tance, for  although  he  could  not  direct  him  to  any  mountains 
of  gold  or  silver,  yet  he  was  acquainted  with  the  language  of 
tlie  Indians,  and  he  kept  him  with  him  during  his  memorable 
expedition,  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  interpreter. 

It  was  in  the  spring  of  1543,  that  the  ferocious  and  savage 
Soto  fell  a  prey  to  his  misguided  ambition.  Ortiz  had  died  a 
few  months  before,  and  with  him  fell  the  already  disappointed 
hopes  of  his  leader.  They  had  taken  up  winter  quarters  at  a 
place  called  Autiamque,  upon  the  Washita,  or  periiaps  Red 
River,  and  it  was  here  that  difficulties  began  to  thicken  upon 
them.  When  in  the  spring  they  would  march  from  thence, 
Soto  was  grieved,  because  he  had  lost  so  good  an  interpreter, 
and  readily  felt  that  difficulties  were  clustering  around  in  a 
much  more  formidable  array.  Hitherto,  when  they  were  at  a 
loss  for  a  knowledge  of  the  country,  all  they  had  to  do  was  to 
lie  in  »vait  and  seize  upon  some  Indian,  and  Ortiz  always  could 
understand  enough  of  the  language  to  relieve  them  from  all 
perplexity  about  their  course ;  but  now  they  had  no  other 
interpreter  but  a  young  Indian  cf  Cutifachiqui,  who  understood 
a  little  Spanish  ;  "  yet  it  required  sometimes  a  whole  day  for 
him  to  explain  what  Ortiz  would  have  done  in  four  words." 
At  other  times  he  was  so  entirely  misunderstood,  that  after 
they  hav.  followed  his  direction  through  a  tedious  march  of  a 
whole  day,  they  would  find  themselves  obliged  to  return  again 
to  the  same  place." 

Such  was  the  value  of  Ortiz  in  the  expedition  of  Soto,  as 
that  miserable  man  conceived  ;  but  had  not  Soto  fallen  in  with 
him,  how  different  would  have  been  the  fate  of  a  multitude  of 
men,  Spaniards  and  Indians.  Upon  the  whole,  it  is  hard  to 
say  which  was  the  predominant  trait  in  the  character  of  Soto 
and  his  followers,  avarice  or  cruelty. 

At  one  time,  because  their  guides  had  led  them  out  of  the 
way,  Moscoso,  the  successor  of  Soto,  caused  them  to  be  hanged 
upon  a  tree  and  there  left.  Another,  in  the  early  part  of  the 
expedition,  was  saved  from  the  fangs  of  dogs,  at  the  interfer- 
ence of  Ortiz,  because  he  was  the  only  Indian  through  whom 
Ortiz  could  get  information.  It  is  as  difficult  to  decide  which 
was  the  more  superstitious,  the  Indians  or  the  self-styled 
"  Christian  Spaniards  ;"  for  when  Soto  died  a  chief  came  and 
ofTered  two  young  Indians  to  be  killed,  that  they  might  accom- 
pany and  serve  the  white  man  to  the  world  of  spirits.  An 
Indian  guide  being  violently  seized  with  some  malady,  fell 
senseless  to  the  ground.  To  raise  him,  and  drive  away  the 
devil  which  they  supposed  was  in  him,  they  read  a  passage 
over  his  body  from  the  Bible,  and  he  immediately  recovered. 


20 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S   CAPTIVITY. 


Thus  we  have  given  all  ihc  parliciihir."  we  ran  flcrive  from 
authentic  sources  of  the  captivity  and  death  of  John  Ortiz. 
Of  Soto's  expedition,  ahout  which  many  writers  of  talents  and 
respectahility  have  enipU)yed  their  pens,  it  was  not  our  inten- 
tion particularly  'o  speak,  hut  can  refer  those,  whose  curiosity 
would  lead  ihein  to  pursue  it,  to  a  new  edition  of  my  Chuoni- 
CLKs  OF  THE  Lndians,  shortly  to  be  published  ;  but  for  a  rapid 
and  splendid  glance  over  that  ground,  1  will  refer  the  reader  to 
the  first  volume  of  Mr.  Bancroft's  History  of  the  United  States. 
And  yet  if  he  would  go  into  minute  details,  there  is  the  work 
of  Mr.  John  T.  Irving,  which  will  leave  little  else  to  be  looked 
for. 


NARRATIVE 


! 


OF  THE  CAPTIVITY  OF  MRS.  MARY  ROWLANDSON  WIFE  OF 
THE  REV.  JOSEPH  ROWLANDSON,  WHO  WAS  TAKEN  PRIS- 
ONER WHEN  LANCASTER  WAS  DESTROYED,  IN  THE  YEAR 
1676;  WRITTEN  BY  HERSELF. 


I  print  this  edition  of  Mrs.  Rowlantlson's  Narrative  from  the  second 
Lancaster  edition,  with  a  selection  of  the  notes  to  that  edition,  by  Joseph 
"Wn-LARD,  Esq.,  which  was  printed  in  1828.  Mr.  Willard  calls  his  the 
sixth  edition.  My  own  notes  are,  as  in  other  parts  of  the  work,  signed 
E.  D.  

On  the  10th  of  February,  1676,  came  the  Indians  with  gi-eat 
numbers*  upon  Lancaster:  their  first  coming  was  about  sun- 
rising.  Hearing  the  noise  of  some  guns,  we  looked  out ;  seve- 
ral houses  were  burning,  and  the  smoke  ascendinj,  to  heaven. 
There  were  five  persons  taken  in  one  hou.se ;  the  father  and 
mother,  and  a  sucking  child  they  knocked  on  the  head,  the 
other  two  they  took  and  carried  away  alive.  There  were  two 
others,  who,  being  out  of  their  garrison  upon  occasion,  were  set 
upon,  one  was  knocked  on  the  head,  the  other  escaped.  An- 
other there  was,  who,  running  along,  was  shot  and  wounded, 
and  fell  down ;  he  begged  of  them  his  life,  promising  them 
money,  as  they  told  me,  but  they  would  not  hearken  to  him, 
but  knocked  him  on  the  head,  stripped  him  naked,  and 
split  open  his  bowels.     Another,  seeing  many  of  the  Indians 

*  Fifteen  hundred  was  the  number,  according  to  the  best  authorities. 
They  were  the  Wamponoags,  led  by  King  Philip,  accompanied  by  the 
Narrhdgansetts,  his  allies,  and  also  by  the  Nipmiicks  and  Nashaways, 
whom  his  artful  eloquence  had  persuaded  to  join  with  him. 


*. 


!^ 


I 


Mils.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


81 


derive  from 
John  Ortiz. 
■  talents  and 
)t  our  inton- 
)se  curiosity 
my  CiiKONi- 
t  for  a  rapid 
he  reader  to 
litcd  Slates, 
is  the  work 
to  be  looked 


»N   WIFE  OP 

•AKEN  PRIS- 

THE  YEAR 


am  the  second 

ion,  by  Joseph 

calls  his  the 

work,  signed 


with  gi-eat 
about  sun- 
out  ;  seve- 
to  heaven, 
father  and 
e  head,  the 
re  were  two 
on,  were  set 
aped.  An- 
d  wounded, 
ising  them 
cen  to  him, 
naked,  and 
the  Indians 

;t  authorities, 
anied  by  the 
Nashaways, 


I 


about  his  barn,  ventured  and  went  out,  but  was  (|uiclvly  shot 
down.  There  were  three  others  belonjTinjif  to  the  same  ij^arri- 
son  who  were  killed;  the  Indians  gettinj^  up  upon  the  roof  of 
the  barn,  had  advantiige  to  shoot  down  upon  them  over  their  for- 
tifi<^-i)'ion.  Thus  the.'^^  murderous  wretches  went  on  burning 
and  destroying  all  before  them."^ 

At  length  they  came  and  beset  our  house,  and  quickly  it  was 
the  dolefulest  day  that  ever  mine  eyes  saw.  The  house  stood 
upon  the  edge  of  a  hill  ;  t  some  of  the  Indians  got  behind  the 
hill,  others  into  the  barn,  and  others  behind  any  thing  that 
would  shelter  them  ;  from  all  which  places  they  shot  against 
the  house,  so  that  the  bullets  seemed  to  fly  like  hail,  and  ([uick- 
ly  they  wounded  one  man  among  us,  then  another,  ami  then  a 
third.  About  tw<^  hours,  according  to  my  observation  in  that 
amazing  time,  the)  had  been  about  the  house  before  they  pre- 
vailed to  fire  it,  which  they  did  with  flax  and  hemp  which 
they  brought  out  of  the  barn,  and  there  being  no  defence  about 
the  house,  only  two  flankers  at  two  opposite  corners,  and  one 
of  them  not  finished;  they  fired  it  once,  and  one  ventured  out 
and  quenched  it,  but  they  quickly  fired  it  again,  and  that  took. 
Now  is  the  dreadful  hour  come  that  I  have  often  heard  of  in 
time  of  the  war,  as  it  was  the  case  of  others,  but  now  mine 
eyes  see  it.  Some  in  our  house  were  fighting  for  their  lives, 
others  wallowing  in  blood,  the  house  on  fire  over  our  heads, 
and  the  bloody  heathen  ready  to  knock  us  on  the  head  if  we 
stirred  out.  Now  might  we  hear  mothers  and  children  crying 
out  for  themselves  and  one  another,  "  Lord,  what  shall  we  do  !  " 
Then  I  took  my  ch'ldren,  and  one  of  my  sisters  [Mrs.  Drew] 
hers  to  go  forth  and  leave  the  house,  but  as  soon  as  we  came 
to  the  door  and  appeared,  the  Indians  shot  so  thick  that  the 
bullets  rattled  against  the  house  as  if  one  had  taken  a  handful 
of  stones  and  threw  them,  so  that  vve  were  forced  to  give  back. 

*  Mr.  Willard,  in  his  History  of  Lancaster,  says  he  cannot  ascertain 
that  attacks  were  made  in  more  than  two  places  previous  to  that  upon 
Mr.  Rowlandson's  house ;  the  first  of  which  was  Wheeler's  garrison,  at 
Wataquodoc  hill,  now  south-west  part  of  Bolton.  Here  they  killed  Jonas 
Fairbanks  and  Joi^hur  his  son,  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  Richard  Wheeler. 
Wheeler  had  been  iii  town  about  fifteen  years.  The  second  was  Pres- 
cott's  garrison,  near  Poignand  and  Plant's  coUon  factory.  Ephraim 
Sawyer  was  killed  here  ;  and  Henry  Farrar  and  a  Mr.  Ball  and  his  wife 
in  other  places. 

t  Mr.  Rowlandson's  house  was  on  the  brow  of  a  small  hill,  on  land  now 
owned  oy  Nathaniel  Chandler,  Esq.,  about  a  third  of  a  mile  south-west  of 
the  meeting-house,  on  the  road  leading  from  the  centre  of  the  town  to  the 
village  called  New-Boston,  about  two  rods  from  the  road,  which  at  that 
time  ran  near  the  house. 


82 


MRS.  ROWLANDSOiN'S  CAPTIVITY. 


V 


We  had  six  stout  docfs  bolono'inij  to  our  frarrison,'*''  but  none  of 
thcMii  would  stir,  thouf^h  at  anotlicr  time  it  an  Indian  had  come 
to  the  door,  thoy  were  ready  l(»  lly  upon  him  and  tear  iiini 
down.  The  Lo;  erehy  would  make  us  the  more  to  acknow- 
ledge his  liand,  at.  see  that  our  lielp  is  always  in  iiim.  IJut 
out  we  must  u^o,  the  ii,  .  inc-easinir,  muj  cominu'"  tUon^-  heiiind  us 
roaring,  and  the  Indians  gaping  before  us  with  their  guns, 
spears,  and  hatchets  to  devour  us.  No  sooner  were  we  out  of 
the  house,  but  my  brother-in-law t  (being  before  wounded  in 
defending  the  house,  in  or  near  the  throat)  fell  down  dead, 
whereat  the  Indians  scornfully  shouted  and  liollowed,  and  were 
presently  upon  iiim,  stripping  olfhis  clothes.  The  bullets  Hy- 
ing thick,  one  went  through  my  side,  and  the  same,  as  would 
seem,  through  the  bowels  and  hand  of  my  poor  child  in  my 
arms.  One  of  my  elder  sister's  children,  named  William,  had 
then  his  leg  broke,  which  the  Indians  perceiving,  they  knocked 
him  on  the  head.  Thus  were  we  butchered  by  those  merciless 
heathens,  standing  amazed,  with  the  blood  running  down  to 
our  heels.  My  eldest  sister  t  being  yet  in  the  house,  and  see- 
ing those  woful  sights,  the  infidels  hailing  mothers  one  way 
and  children  another,  and  some  wallowing  in  their  blood  ;  and 
her  eldest  son  telling  her  that  her  son  William  was  dead,  and 
myself  was  wounded,  she  said,  "  Lord,  let  vie  die  with  t/ie?n:" 
which  was  no  sooner  said  but  she  was  struck  with  a  bullet, 
and  fell  down  dead  over  the  threshold.  I  hope  she  is  reaping 
the  fruit  of  her  good  labors,  being  faithful  to  the  service  of 
God  in  her  place.  In  her  younger  years  she  lay  under  much 
trouble  upon  spiritual  accounts,  till  it  pleased  God  lo  make  that 
precious  scripture  take  hold  of  her  heart,  2  Cor.  12  :  9, — *'  A7id 
he  said  unto  //le,  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee.''''  More  than 
twenty  years  after,  I  have  heard  her  tell  how  sweet  and  com- 
fortable that  place  was  to  her.  But  to  return  :  The  Indians 
laid  hold  of  us,  pulling  me  one  way  and  the  children  another, 
and  said,  "  Come,  go  along  with  v«."  I  told  them  they  would 
kill  me;  they  answered.  If  I  ivere  willing  to  go  along  with 
them  they  would  not  hurt  me. 

Oh !  the  doleful  sight  that  now  was  to  behold  at  this  house! 
Come,  behold  the  works  of  the  Lord,  what  desolations  he  has 
made  in  the  earth.     Of  thirty-seven  ^  persons  who  were  in  this 

♦  Mr.  Rowlandson's  house  was  filled  with  soldiers  and  inhabitants,  to 
the  number  of  forty-two. 

f  Thomas  Rowlandson,  brother  to  the  clergyman. 

%  Mrs.  Kerley,  wife  of  Capt.  Henry  Kerley,  to  whom  she  was  married 
in  1654. 
^  We  have  stated  in  a  previous  note  that  there  were  forty-two  persons 


i 


I 


Y. 


MRS.  ROWLANDSONS   CAI'TIVITY. 


83 


11,=^  but  none  of 
iidian  had  come 

I  mid  tear  hiui 
iiore  to  acknow- 
ys  ill  liim.  But 
alorii>;  behind  us 
/ith  llieir  guns, 

were  we  out  of 
ore  wounded  in 
fell  down  dead, 
lowed,  and  were 

The  hullels  lly. 

same,  as  would 
(oor  chiUl  in  my 
ed  William,  had 
ag,  they  knocked 
y  those  merciless 
unnin^  down  to 
;  house,  and  sce- 
inothers  one  way 
their  blood  ;  and 

II  was  dead,  and 
die  with  them  .•" 

ck  with  a  bullet, 
pe  i-:he  is  reaping 
o  the  service  of 
ay  under  much 
iod  to  make  that 
12:  ^,—''And 
cc."     More  than 
sweet  and  com- 
n  :  The  Indians 
hildrcn  another, 
them  they  would 
n  go  a^nng  with 

>ld  at  this  house! 
esolations  he  has 
who  were  in  this 

and  inhabitants,  to 


m  she  was  married 
•e  forty-two  persons 


one  house,  none  escaped  eitiier  present  (h-atli,  or  a  l>itter  cap- 
tivity, save  only  one,''^  who  might  say  as  in  .Init  1  :  15, — ''And 
J  oiilij  ant  isrnptd  alone  to  tell  the  /leii's.'^  Tln-re  were  twelve 
killed,  some  sJKjt,  some  stabbed  with  their  spears,  some  knock- 
ed down  with  their  hatchets.  When  we  are  in  prosperity,  Oh 
the  little  that  we  think  of  such  dreadful  sights,  to  see  our  dear 
fiieiids  and  relations  \\c  bleeding  out  their  hearts-blood  upon 
the  ground.  There  was  one  who  was  chopt  in  the  heail  with 
a  hatchet,  and  slript  naked,  and  yet  was  crawling  up  and  down. 
It  was  a  solemn  sight  to  see  so  many  Christians  lying  in  their 
blood,  some  here  and  some  there,  lik(!  a  company  of  sheep 
1  torn  by  wolves  ;  all  of  them  stript  naked  by  a  company  of 
I  hell-hounds,  roaring,  singing,  ranting,  and  insulting,  as  if  they 
t  would  have  torn  our  very  hearts  out ;  yet  the  Lord,  by  his 
almighty  power,  preserved  a  number  of  us  from  death,  for  tliere 
were  twenty-four  of  us  taken  alive  and  carried  captive, 

I  had  often  before  this  said,  that  if  the  Indians  should  come, 
I  should  choose  rather  to  be  killed  by  them  than  taken  alive,  but 
when  it  came  to  the  trial,  my  mind  changed  ;  their  glittering 
weapons  so  daunted  my  spirit,  that  I  chose  rather  to  go  along 
with  those  (as  I  may  say)  ravenous  bears,  than  that  moment 
to  end  my  days.  And  that  I  may  the  better  declare  what  hap- 
4  pened  to  me  during  that  grievous  captivity,  I  shall  particularly 
speak  of  the  several  Removes  we  had  up  and  down  the  wil- 
derness. 

The  First  Remove. — Now  away  we  m\  go  with  those 
barbarous  creatures,  with  our  bodies  wounc'jd  and  bleeding, 
and  our  hearts  no  less  than  our  bodies.  About  a  mile  we  went 
that  night,  up  upon  a  hill,t  within  sight  of  the  town,  where 
we  intended  to  lodge.  There  was  hard  by  a  vacant  house,  de 
sorted  by  the  English  before,  for  fear  of  the  Indians  ;  I  asked 
them  whether  1  might  not  lodge  in  the  house  that  night ;  to 
which  they  answered,  "  What,  will  you  love  Englishmen  still  ?" 
This  was  the  dolefulest  night  that  ever  my  eyes  saw.  Oh  the 
roaring,  and  singing,  and  dancing,  and  yelling  of  those  black 
creatures  in  the  night,  which  made  the  place  a  lively  resem- 

in  the  house,  in  which  number  ait  included  five  soldiers  not  reckoned  by 
Mrs.  Rowlandsoii. 

*  Ephraim  Roper,  whose  wife  was  killed  in  attempting  to  escape. 

t  George  Hill,  whirh  has  been  so  called  for  more  than  one  hundred  and 
fiftj'  years.  It  is  said  to  have  taken  its  name  from  an  Indian  whom  the 
English  called  Ger  rge,  and  who  had  a  wigwam  upon  it.  The  name  in- 
cludes the  whole  range  of  the  feitile  and  delightful  ridge  on  the  west  side 
of  the  town,  nearly  two  miles  in  extent.  From  tlie  southern  part,  which 
is  almost  a  distinct  hill,  is  a  fine  view  of  the  town  and  surrounding  coun- 
try. 


T  \ 


fl    ' 


I 


I 


21 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


bianco  (tf  lu'U.     And  iiiiscriihlc  wiis  the   waste  that  was  tfiore 


inailt;   of  liorse 


s,  caulc,  ^h(•»'j^  >\viii(',  calvi's,  lanih.s,  roasiiiig 


pigs,  and  fowl.x,  (wliich  they  had  |)liuidt'rr(|  in  ilic  town,)  sonic 
roasling,  some  lying  and  hiirning,  and  xntw  boiling,  to  feed  our 
morcilcss  rneinics  ;  who  were  joylni  enough,  lliouLrh  we  were 
di.s(-'on>()latt'.  To  add  to  ilu-  dolcCnhicss  of  ihc  lurnicr  day, 
and  the  dismalness  of  the  present  night,  my  thoughts  ran  n|)on 
my  losses  and  sad,  bereaved  condition.  All  was  gone,  my  hus- 
band i>()ne,*  (at  least  separated  from  me,  he  heing  in  the  IJay  ; 
and  to  add  to  my  grief,  the  Indians  t(dd  me  they  would  kill 
liim  as  he  oamo  homeward,)  my  children  gone,  my  relations 
and  friends  gone,t  our  house  and  home,  and  all  our  comforts 
within  door  and  without,  all  was  gone,  (except  my  life,)  and  I 
knew  not  but  the  next  moment  that  mi<rhl  <ro  too. 

There  remained  nothing  to  me  but  one  poor,  wounded  bube, 
and  it  seemed  at  present  worse  than  death,  that  it  was  in  such 
a  pitiful  condition,  bespeaking  compassion,  and  I  had  no  re- 
freshing for  it,  nor  suitable  things  to  revive  it.  Little  do  many 
think  what  is  the  savageness  and  brutishness  of  this  barltarous 
enemy,  those  even  that  seem  to  profess  nmre  than  others 
among  them,  when  the  English  have  fallen  into  their  hands. 

Those  seven  tliat  were  killed  at  Lancaster  the  summer  be- 
fore upon  a  Sabbath  day,  and  the  one  that  was  afterward  killed 
upon  a  week-day,  were  slain  and  mangled  in  a  barbarous  man- 
ner, by  One-eyed  John  and  Marlborough's  praying  Indians, 
which  Capt.  Mosely  brought  to  Boston,  as  the  Indians  told 
me. 

The  Second  Remove. — But  now  (the  next  morning)  I  must 
turn  my  back  upon  the  town,  and  travel  with  them  into  the 
vast  and  desolate  wilderness,  I  know  not  whither.  It  is  not 
my  tongue  or  pen  can"  express  the  sorrows  of  my  heart,  and 
bitterness  of  my  spirit,  that  I  had  at  this  departure;  but  God 
was  with  me  in  a  wonderful  manner,  carrying  me  along  and 
bearing  up  my  spirit,  that  it  did  not  quite  fail.  One  of  the 
Indians  carried  my  poor  wounded  babe  upon  a  horse  :  it  went 
moaning  all  along,  "  I  shall  die,  I  shall  die.'"  I  went  on  foot  after 
it  with  sorrow  that  cannot  bo  expressed.  At  length  I  took  it  ofT 
the  horse,  and  carried  it  in  my  arms,  till  my  strength  failed  and 
I  fell  down  with  it.  Then  they  set  me  upon  a  horse  with  my 
wounded  child  in  my  lap,  and  there  being  no  furniture  on  the 
horse's  back,  as  we  were  going  down  a  steep  hill,  we  both  fell 

*  Mr.  Rowlaiulson,  with  Capt.  Kerley  and  Mr.  Drew,  were  at  this  time 
in  Boston,  solicitiiif^  the  governor  and  council  for  more  .soldiers,  for  the 
protection  of  the  place. 

f  No  less  than  .seventeen  of  Mr.  Rowlandson's  family  were  put  to  death 
or  taken  prisoners. 


4 


4 


1 


tlirit  wns  there 
nulls,   roajsiin^y 

(-•    town,)    SOMK' 

ifi",  to  feed  our 
oiiirh  wo  were 
'  foriiicr  (Iny, 
ulit.s  inn  upon 
L,'-oiK',  my  hus- 
<^  ill  the  Bay  ; 
icy  wonld  Kill 
,  my  relations 
onr  fomforts 
ly  life,)  ami  I 

• 

'oiMuicd  babe, 
I  was  in  .such 
I  liad  no  re- 
little  do  many 
his  barbarous 
than  others 
heir  hands. 

summer  be- 

2rward  killed 

barous  man- 

ing   Indians, 

Indians  told 


ning)  I  must 

lem  into  the 

•r.     It  is  not 

y  heart,  and 

re;  but  God 

e  along  and 

One  of  the 

tse  :   it  went 

on  foot  after 

I  took  it  off 

h  failed  and 

rse  with  my 

iiure  on  the 

we  both  fell 

e  at  this  time 
Idiers,  for  the 

e  put  to  death 


-1 


3ins.  ROWLANDSON'.S  I'Arnviiv 


25 


over  the  horse's  iiead,  at  whiih  they  like  itdiiiman  creatures 
laughed,  and  rfjoiccd  to  see  il,  thoui^li  I  ihought  we  sli.tiild 
there  have  ended  our  days,  ovep-ome  with  so  many  dilliculiies. 
But  ihe  Lord  renewed  my  slrenglh  still,  and  carried  me  along, 
that  I  might  see  more  of  his  power,  yea,  so  miu'h  that  I  could 
never  have  tliouglit  of,  had  I  not  experienced  it. 

After  tjii-  it.  (|uiclily  I'eLTan  to  snow,  and  when  nii^'ht  came 
on  they  slept.  And  now  down  1  must  sit  in  the  yn(tw,  by  a  lit- 
tle (ire,  and  a  few  boughs  behind  me,  with  my  sick  child  in  my 
lap,  and  calling  much  for  water,  being  now,  througli  the  wound, 
fallen  into  a  violent  f<,'ver;  my  own  wound  also  growing  so 
still',  that  I  could  scarce  sit  down  or  rise  up,  yet  so  it  must  be, 
that  I  must  sit  all  this  cold,  winter  night  upon  the  cold  snowy 
ground,  with  my  sick  child  in  my  arms,  looking  that  (!very 
hour  w(»uld  be  the  last  of  its  life,  and  having  no  Christian 
friend  near  me,  either  to  comfort  or  help  me.  Oh,  I  may  sec 
tlie  Wfjudi'rlul  power  of  CJod,  that  my  s])irit  did  not  utterly 
sink  under  my  uHiiction  ;  still  the  Lord  upheld  me  with  his 
gracious  and  merciful  spirit,  and  we  were  both  alive  to  see  the 
light  of  the  next  morning. 

TuH  'riiiiiu  Rk.mov,. — The  morning  ])eing  come,  they  pre- 
pared to  go  on  their  way;  one  of  the  Indians  got  upon  a  horse, 
and  they  sat  me  up  behind  him,  with  my  ])oor  sick  babe  in  my 
lap.  A  very  wearisome  ami  tedious  day  I  had  of  it;  wiuit 
with  my  own  wound,  and  my  child  being  so  exceeding  sick, 
and  in  a  lamentable  condition  with  her  wound,  it  may  easily 
be  judged  what  a  ])oor,  feeble  condition  we  were  in,  there 
being  not  tlit;  least  crumb  of  refreshing  that  came  within  either 
of  our  mouths  I'rom  Wednesday  night  to  Saturday  night,  except 
only  a  little  cold  water.  This  day  in  the  afternoon,  ai)out  an 
hour  by  sun,  we  came  to  the  place  where  they  intended,  viz. 
an  Indian  town  ("ailed  Wenimesset,  [New  Hraintree]  north- 
ward of  (-iuabauL!',  [Brook held.]  When  we  wen;  come,  Oh 
the  number  of  Pagans,  now  merciless  enemies,  that  there  came 
about  me,  that  I  may  say  as  David,  Ps:d.  27  :  13,  "  I  had  faint- 
ed unless  I  had  /jc/if;red,^'  <Scc.  The  next  day  was  the  Sabbath. 
I  then  remembered  how  careless  I  had  been  of  God's  holy 
time  ;  how  numy  Sabbaths  I  had  lost  and  misspent,  and  how 
evilly  I  had  walked  in  God's  sight ;  which  lay  so  close  u])oii 
my  spirit,  that  it  was  easy  for  me  to  see  how  righteous  it  was 
with  God  to  cut  off  the  thread  of  my  life,  and  cast  me  out  of 
his  presence  for  ever.  Yet  the  Lord  still  showed  mercy  to  me, 
and  helped  me;  and  as  he  wounded  me  with  one  hand,  so  he 
healed  me  with  the  other.  This  day  there  came  to  me  one 
Robert  Pepper,  a  man  belonging  to  Roxbury,  who  was  taken 
at  Capt.  Beers'  tight,  and  had  been  now  a  considerable  time 
3 


t   ; 


I       ? 


I 


l! 


2G 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


with  thr  Tndinns-,  and  up  with  tlicm  almost  as  far  as  Alhany, 
to  see  Kint^  Philip,  as  ho  told  ine,  and  was  now  very  lately 
come  into  lhe?^e  parts.  Hearing,  I  say,  that  I  was  in  this  In- 
dian town,  he  ohtaincd  leave  to  come  and  see  me.  He  told  me 
he  himself  w%'is  wounded  in  the  lei^  at  Capt.  Beers'  fi<^»-ht,  and 
was  not  able  some  time  to  go,  bat  as  they  carried  him,  and  that 
he  took  oak  leaves  and  laid  to  his  wound,  and  by  the  blessing 
of  God  he  was  able  to  travel  again.  Then  took  I  oak  leaves 
and  laid  to  my  side,  and  with  the  blessing  of  God  it  cured  me 
also  ;  yet  before  the  cure  was  wrought,  I  may  say  fis  it  is  in 
Psal.  .'3S:  5,  6,  "  My  ivounds  stink  and  are  corrupt.  I  am 
troubled  ;  I  am  hoioed  dowji  greatly ;  I  go  mourning  all  the 
day  long.''''  I  sat  much  alone  with  my  poor  wounded  child  in 
niy  lap,  which  moaned  night  and  day,  having  nothing  to  revive 
the  body  or  cheer  the  spirits  of  her;  but  instead  of  that,  one 
Indian  would  come  and  tell  me  one  hour,  "  Your  master  will 
knock  your  child  on  the  head,"  and  then  a  second,  and  then  a 
third,  "  Your  master  will  quickly  knock  your  child  on  the 
head." 

This  was  the  comfort  I  had  from  them ;  miserable  comfort- 
ers were  they  all.  Thus  nine  days  I  sat  upon  my  knees,  with 
my  babe  in  my  lap,  till  my  flesh  was  raw  again.  My  child 
being  even  ready  to  depart  this  sorrowful  world,  they  bid  me 
carry  it  out  to  another  wigwam,  I  suppose  because  they  would 
not  be  troubled  with  such  spectacles ;  whither  I  went  with  a 
very  heavy  heart,  and  down  I  sat  with  the  picture  of  death  in 
my  lap.  About  two  hours  in  the  night,  my  sweet  babe  like  a 
Iamb  departed  this  life,  on  Feb.  IS,  1676,  it  being  about  six 
years  and  five  months  old.^  It  was  nine  days  from  the  first 
wounding  in  this  miserable  conditioii,  without  any  refreshing 
of  one  nature  or  another  except  a  little  cold  water.  1  cannot 
but  take  notice  how  at  another  time  I  could  not  bear  to  be  in  a 
room  where  a  dead  person  was,  but  now  the  case  is  changed ; 
I  must  and  could  lie  down  with  my  dead  babe  all  the  night 
after.  I  have  thought  since  of  the  wonderful  goodnes.=*  of  God 
to  me  in  preserving  me  so  in  the  use  of  my  reason  and  senses, 
in  that  distressed  time,  that  I  did  not  use  wicked  and  violent 
means  to  end  my  own  miserable  life.  In  the  morning  when 
they  understood  that  my  child  was  dead,  they  sent  me  home 
to  my  master's  wigwam.  By  my  master  in  this  writing  must 
be  understood  Ciutmnopin,  who  was  a  sagamore,  and  married 
King  Philip's  wile's  sister;  not  that  he  first  took  me,  but  I  was 
sold  to  him  by  a  Narraganset  Indian,  who  took  me  when  I  first 

I  went  to   take  up  my  dead  child 


came  out   of  the  garrison 


*  This  child's  name  was  Sarah  ;  born  Sept.  15,  1669. 


I 


Vi 


A 


"^ 


MRS.  IIOWLANDSONS  CAPTIVITY. 


27 


r  as  Albnny, 
vv  very  lately 
IS  ill  this  Jn- 
He  told  me 
rs'  fio-ht,  and 
lim,  and  that 

the   hlessino- 
I  oak  leaves 

it  cured  me 
ly  as  it  is  in 
rupt.  I  am 
'ii'ig  all  the 
ded  child  in 
ng-  to  revive 
of  that,  one 

master  will 
.  and  then  a 
hild  on  the 

ble  comfort- 
knees,  with 

My  child 
hey  bid  me 
they  would 
vent  with  a 
of  death  in 
babe  like  a 
:  about  six 
)m  the  first 
refrcshino- 

I  cannot 
'  to  be  in  a 
^  chang-ed  ; 
1  the  niq-ht 
ess  of  God 
^nd  senses, 
tnd  violent 
ling-  when 
me  home 
iling-  must 
d  married 
but  I  was 
hen  I  first 
lead  child 


+4 


in  mv  arms   to  carry  it  with  me,  but  they  bid  me  let  it  alone. 
There  was  no  rcsisling-,  but  go  I  must,  and  leave  it.      When  1 
had   ijeeu  awhile   at  my  master's  wigwam,  1    took  the  first  op- 
portunity i   could   get  10  go   look  after  my  dead  child.      Wlien 
1  came  1  asked  them  what  they  had  done  witli  it.     They  told 
me    it  was   on   tlu'   hill.*     Then    th(>y  went    and   showed    mc 
wluM'e  it  was,  where  I  saw  the  ground  was  newly  dig'ged,  and 
where  ihey  told  mc  they  had  buried  it.      There  1  left  that  child 
in  the  wilderness,  and  must  comniit  it  and  myself  also  in  this 
A\il(lerness  condition    to    Him  who    is   above  all.      God  having 
taken  away  this  dear  fhild.  I  went   to    see  my  daughter  Alary, 
who  was  at  the  same   Indian  town,  at  a  wigwam  not  very  far 
olf,  though  we  had    little    liberty  or    opporinnity  to    see    one 
another;   she  was  about  ten  years  old,  anil  taken  from  the  door 
at  first  by   a  praying   Indian,  and   afterwards   soM   for  a  gun. 
"When  I  came   in  >ig;ht  she  would  fall  a  weeping,  at  v.hiidi 
they  were  provoked,  and  would   not  let  me  come  near  her,  but 
bid  me  be  gone  ;   which  was  a  heart-cutting  word  to  me.      I 
liad  one  child  dead,  another  in  the  wilderness,    I  knew  not 
where,  the  third  they  Avould  not  let  me  come  near  to;  "  .1/c 
(as  he  said)  have  ije  hrrcai-ed  of  my  childroi ;  Joseph  is  vol, 
and   Simeon  is  not,  and  ye  will  take  Benjamin  also;  all  these 
things  arc  against  mc.'''     I  could  not  sit  still  in  this  condition, 
but  kept  walking  from  one  place  to  another  ;  and  as  I  was 
going  along,  my  heart  was  even  overwhelmed  with  the  thoughts 
of  my  condition,  and  that  I  should  have  children,  and  a  nation 
that  1  knew  not  ruled  over  the.n.      Whereupon    I  earnestly 
entreated  the  Lord  that  he  would  consider  my  low  estate,  and 
show  mc  a  token  for  good,  and  if  it  were  his  blessed  will,  some 
sign  and  hope  of  some   relief.      And   indeed  quickly  the  Lord 
answered  in  some  measure  my  poor  prayer  ;   foi'  as  I  was  going- 
up  and  down  mourning  and  lamenting  mv  condition,  my  son 
[Joseph]  came  to  me  and  asked  me  how  I  did.      I  had  not  seen 
]jim  before  since  the  destructicm  of  the  town  ;  and  I  knew  not 
where  he  was,  till  I  was  informed  by  himself   that    he  was 
among  a  smaller  parcel  of  Indians,  whose  place  was  about  six 
miles  off.      With  tears  in  his  eyes  he  asked  me  whether  his 
sister  Sarah  was  dead,  and  told  me  he  had  seen  his  sister  Mary, 
and  prayed  me  that  I  would   not  be  troubled  in  reference  to 
himself.      The  occasion  of  his  coming  to  see  me  at  this  tim( 
was  this  :   there  was,  as  I  said,  about  six  miles  from  us,  a  small 
plantation  of  Indians,  where  it  seems  he  had  been  during  his 
captivity  ;  and  at  this  time  there  were  some  forces  of  the  In- 

*  This  hill,  in  the  town  of  New  Braintree;,  is  now  known  as  the  burial 
place  of  Mrs.  Rowlaudson's  child. 


28 


MRS.  ROWLA^'DSON'S  CAmVITY. 


dians  r^atherod  out  of  our  company,  and  some  ulso  from  ihem, 
amongst  whom  was  my  son's  master,  to  go  to  assault  and  burn 
Medfield.  In  this  time  of  liis  master's  absence  his  dame 
brouglit  him  to  see  me.  I  took  this  to  1)0  some  gracious  answer 
to  my  earnest  and  unfeigned  desire.  The  next  day  the  Indians 
returned  from  Medfiekl;*  all  the  company,  for  those  that 
belonged  to  the  other  smaller  company  came  through  the  town 
that  we  now  were  at ;  but  before  they  came  to  us,  Oh  the  out- 
rageous roaring  and  whooping  that  there  was  !  they  began 
their  din  about  a  mile  before  they  came  to  us.  By  their  noise 
and  whooping  they  signified  how  many  they  had  destroyed  ; 
which  was  at  that  time  twenty-three.  Those  that  were  with 
us  at  home  wore  gathered  together  as  soon  as  they  heard  the 
whooping,  and  every  time  that  the  other  went  over  their  num- 
ber, these  at  home  gave  a  shout,  that  iho  very  earth  rang  again. 
And  thus  they  continued  till  those  that  had  been  upon  the 
expedition  were  come  up  to  the  sagamore's  wigwam  ;  and  then 
Oh  the  hideous  insulting  and  triuniphinu-  that  there  was  over 
some  Engli-^hmen's  scalps  that  they  had  taken,  as  their  man- 
ner is,  and  brought  with  them.  I  cannot  but  take  notice  of  the 
wonderful  nKnry  of  God  to  me  in  those  alHictions,  in  sending 
me  a  Bible.  One  of  the  Indians  that  came  from  Medfield  fight, 
and  had  brought  some  plunder,  came  to  me,  and  asked  me  if  I 
would  have  a  Bible  ;  he  had  got  one  in  his  basket.  I  was  glad 
of  it,  and  asked  him  if  he  thought  the  Indians  would  let  me 
read.  He  answered  yes.  So  I  took  the  Biblo,  and  in  that 
melancholy  time  it  came  into  my  mind  to  read  first  the  twenty- 
eighth  chapter  of  De  Ueronom}',  wliich  I  did,  and  when  I  had 
read  it  my  dark  heart  wrought  on  this  manner  :  that  there  was 
no  mercy  for  me,  that  the  blessings  were  gone,  and  the  curses 
came  in  their  room,  and  that  I  had  lost  my  opportunity.  But 
the  Lord  helped  me  still  to  go  on  reading,  till  I  came  to  chap. 
30,  the  seven  first  verses  ;  where  I  found  there  was  mercy 
promised  again,  if  we  would  return  to  him  by  repentance  ;  and 
though  we  were  scattered  from  one  end  of  the  earth  to  the 
other,  yet  the  Lord  would  gather  us  together,  and  turn  all  those 
curses  upon  our  enemies.  I  do  not  desire  to  live  to  forget  this 
scripture,  and  Avhat  comfort  it  was  to  me. 

Now  the  Indians  began  to  talk  of  removing  from  this  place, 
some  one  way  and  some  another.  There  were  now  1  .'sides 
myself  nine  English  captives  in  this  place,  all  of  them  children 
except  one  woman.  I  got  an  opportunity  to  go  and  take  my 
leave  of  them,  they  being  to  go  one  way  and  I  another.  I 
asked  them  whether  they  were  earnest  with  God  for  deliver- 

*Medfiekl  was  attacked  Feb.  21,  (O.  S.) 


i 


MRS.  ROWLANDSONS  CAPTIVITY 


29 


1  from  iliem, 
lilt  and  burn 
e  liis  daiTiG 
"inus  answer 
■  the  Indians 
r  those  that 
gh  the  town 
Oh  the  oiit- 

they  beg-an 
'  their  noise 

destroyed  ; 
t  were  with 
y  heard  the 

their  nuni- 
rang-  aqain. 
^  npon    the 

;  and  then 
•e  was  over 

their  man- 
otioe  of  the 

in  sending 
rUiekl  fio-ht, 
:ed  me  if  I 
I  was  o]ad 
d  let  me 
1  in  that 
•^  twenty-. 

lien  I  had 
Iiere  was 
10  en rses 

ty.      But 
to  chap. 

as  )nercy 

nee  ;  and 

th  to  the 
ill  tlioso 

:>rget  this 

lis  place, 

1  'sides 

children 

take  my 

ither.      I 

deliver- 


u 
in 


?ince.  They  told  me  they  did  as  they  were  able,  and  it  was 
some  comfort  to  me  that  the  Lord  stirrcul  up  children  to  look  to 
him.  The  woman,  viz,  cfoodwife  Joslin,^  told  me  she  should 
never  see  me  again,  and  that  she  could  iind  in  her  heart  to  run 
away  by  any  means,  for  we  were  near  thirty  miles  from  any 
English  town,'^"  and  she  very  big  with  child,  having  but  one  week 
to  reckon,  and  another  child  in  her  arms  two  years  old  ;  and 
bad  rivers  there  were  to  go  over,  and  we  were  feeble  with  our 
poor  and  coarse  entertainment.  I  had  my  l^ible  with  me.  T 
pulled  it  out,  and  asked  her  whether  she  would  read.  We 
opened  the  Bible,  and  lighted  on  Psalm  27,  in  which  Psalm 
we  especially  took  notice  of  that  verse,  "  Wait  on  the  Lord,  be 
of  good  courage,  ajid  he  shall  slre?tgthcn  thine  heart ;  wait  I 
sofii  on  the  Lord." 

Thk  Fourth  Remove. — And  now  must  I  part  with  the  little 
company  I  had.  Here  I  parted  with  my  daughter  Mary,t 
whom  I  never  saw  again  till  I  saw  her  in  Dorchester,  returned 
from  captivity,  and  from  four  little  cousins  and  neighbors,  some 
of  which  I  never  saw  afterward  ;  the  Lord  only  knows  the  end 
of  them.  Among  them  also  was  that  poor  woman  before  men- 
tioned, who  came  to  a  sad  end,  as  some  of  the  company  told 
me  in  my  travel.  She  having-  much  g-rief  upon  her  spirits 
about  her  miserable  condition,  being-  so  near  her  time,  she 
would  be  often  asking-  the  Indians  to  let  her  g-o  home.  They 
not  being-  willing  to  that,  and  yet  vexed  with  her  importunity, 
gathered  a  great  company  together  about  her,  and  stript  her 
naked  and  set  her  in  the  midst  of  them  ;  and  when  they  had 
sung  and  danced  about  her  in  their  hellish  manner  as  long  as 
they  pleased,  they  knocked  her  on  the  head,  and  the  child  in 
her  arms  with  her.  When  they  had  done  that,  they  made  a 
fire  and  put  them  both  into  it,  and  told  the  other  children  that 
were  with  them,  that  if  they  attempted  to  go  home  they  would 
serve  them  in  like  manner.  The  children  said  she  did  not 
shed  one  tear,  but  prayed  all  the  while.  But  to  turn  to  my 
own  journey.  We  travelled  about  a  half  a  day  or  a  little  more, 
and  came  to  a  desolate  place  in  the  wilderness,  where  there 
were  no  wigwams  or  inhabitants  before.  We  came  about  the 
middle  of  the  afternoon  to  this  place,  cold,  wet,  and  snowy,  and 
hungry,  and  weary,  and  no  refreshing  for  man,  but  the  cold 
ground  to  sit  on,  and  our  poor  Indian  cheer. 

*  Abraham  Joslin's  wife. 

t  This  was  true  at  that  time,  as  Brnokfieki,  (Quaboag,)  within  a  few 
miles  of  Wenimesset,  was  destroyed  by  the  Indians  in  August,  1075. 
The  nearest  towns  were  those  on  Connecticut  river. 

tBorn  August  12,  1665. 
3=^ 


1     ' 


'5»^ 


! 


30 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


Hcarl-achintr  ilioughts  hero  I  had  about  my  poor  children, 
■who  were  scattered  up  and  down  ainoni^  tlie  wild  boasts  of  the 
forest.  My  head  was  light  and  dizzy,  either  through  hunger 
or  liad  lodging,  or  trouble,  or  all  together,  my  knees  t'eei)le,  my 
body  raw  by  silting  double  night  and  day,  that  I  cannot  ex- 
press to  man  the  affliction  that  lay  upon  my  spirit,  but  the 
Lord  helped  me  at  that  time  to  express  it.  to  himself.  I  open- 
ed my  Bible  to  read,  and  the  Lord  brought  that  precious  scrip- 
ture to  me,  Jer.  31  :  16, — "  Thus  satth  the  Lord,  refrain  thy 
voice  from  icecping,  and  thiiie  eyes  from  tears,  for  tJiy  vork 
shall  he  rewarded,  and  they  shall  come  again  from  the  land  of 
Jie  enemy.''''  This  was  a  sweet  cordial  to  me  when  I  was  ready 
to  faint.  Many  and  many  a  time  have  I  sat  down  and  wept 
sweetly  over  this  scripture.  At  this  place  we  continued  about 
four  days. 

The  Fifth  Rebiove. — The  occasion,  as  I  thought,  of  their 
removing  at  this  time,  was  the  English  army's  being  near  and 
following  thera ;  for  they  went  as  if  they  had  gone  for  their 
lives  for  some  considerable  way ;  and  then  they  made  a  stop, 
and  chose  out  some  of  their  stoutest  men,  and  sent  them  back 
to  hold  the  English  army  in  play  whilst  the  rest  escaped  ;  and 
then,  like  Jehu,  they  marched  on  furiously,  with  their  old  and 
young :  some  carried  their  old,  decrepit  mothers,  some  carried 
one,  and  some  another.  Four  of  them  carried  a  great  Indian 
upon  a  bier ;  but  going  through  a  thick  wood  with  him.  they 
were  hindered,  and  could  make  no  haste  ;  whereupon  they  took 
him  upon  their  backs,  and  carried  him  one  at  a  time,  till  we 
came  to  Bacquag"^  river.  Upon  Friday,  a  little  after  noon,  we 
came  to  this  river.  When  all  the  company  Avas  come  up  and 
were  gathered  together,  I  thought  to  count  the  number  of  them, 
but  they  were  so  many,  and  being  somewhat  in  n;otion,  it  was 
beyond  my  skill.  In  this  travel,  because  of  my  wound,  I  was 
somewhat  favore  1  in  my  load.  I  carried  only  my  knitting- 
work,  and  two  quarts  of  parched  meal.  Being  very  faint,  I 
asked  my  mistress  to  give  me  one  spoonful  of  the  meal,  but 
iihe  would  not  give  me  a  taste.  They  quickly  fell  to  cutting 
dry  trees,  to  make  rafts  to  carry  them  over  the  river,  and  soon 
my  turn  came  to  go  over.  By  the  aavantage  of  soi  ,ie  brush 
which  they  had  laid  upon  the  raft  to  sit  on,  I  did  not  wet  my 
foot,  while  many  of  themselves  at  the  other  end  were  mid-leg 
deep,  which  cannot  but  be  acknowledged  as  a  favor  of  God  to 
my  weakened  body,  it  being  a  very  cold  time.  I  was  not  be- 
fore acquainted  with  such  kind  of  doings  or  dangers.    "  When 

*  Or  Payqua^e.  now  MillTr's  river.     It  empties  into  the  Connecticut, 
between  Northfield  and  Montague. 


a 


W 


tl 


Js.._^_.._ 


"^■m 


MRS.  KOWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


31 


poor  children, 
hcnsts  of  the 
•Qiigh  hunc^er 
es  leeblc,  my 
I  cannot  ox- 
pirit,  hut  tho 
5elf.  I  opcn- 
recions  scrip- 
',  refrain  thy 
for  I  In  I  vork 
'/I  the  laJidof 
n  I  was  ready 
vvri  and  wept 
ainued  about 

ight,  of  their 

ing-  near  and 

one  for  their 

made  a  stop, 

nt  them  back 

scaped  ;  and 

their  old  and 

some  carried 

^reat  Indian 

th  him,  they 

on  they  took 

time,  till  we 

ter  noon,  we 

ome  up  and 

3er  of  them, 

otion,  it  was 

ound,  I  was 

nv  knittinof- 

very  faint,  I 

le  meal,  but 

1  to  cutting 

r,  and  soon 

sor.ie  brush 

not  wet  my 

ere  mid-leg 

r  of  God  to 

was  not  be- 

s.    "  When 

Connecticut, 


thou  passeth  tltroiigh  the  waters  T  ivifl  he  with  thee,  and  ihrnugh 
the  rivers  they  shall  not  overflow  thee.'" — Isa.  43  :  2.  A  certain 
number  of  us  got  over  the  river  that  night,  but  it  was  the  iiight 
after  the  Sabbath  before  all  the  company  was  got  ov^r.  On 
the  Saturday  they  boiled  an  old  horse's  leg  which  they  had 
got,  and  so  wc  drank  of  the  broth,  as  soon  as  they  thought  it 
was  ready,  and  when  it  was  almost  all  gone  they  filled  it  up 
again. 

Tho  first  week  of  my  being  among  them,  I  hardly  eat  any 
thing;  the  second  week  I  found  my  stomach  grow  very  faint 
for  want  of  something,  and  yet  it  was  very  hard  to  get  down 
their  filthy  trash  ;  but  the  third  week,  though  I  could  think  how 
formerly  my  stomach  would  turn  against  this  or  that,  and  I 
could  starve  and  die  before  I  could  eat  such  things,  yet  they 
were  pleasant  and  savory  to  my  taste.  I  was  at  this  time  knit- 
ting a  pair  of  ^vhite  cotton  stockings  for  my  mistress,  and  I  had 
not  yet  wrought  upon  the  Sabbath  day.  When  the  Sabbath 
came,  they  bid  me  go  to  work.  I  told  them  it  was  Sabbath 
day,  and  desired  them  to  let  me  rest,  and  told  them  I  would  do 
as  much  more  work  to-morrow  ;  to  which  they  answered  me 
they  would  break  my  face.  And  here  I  cannot  but  take  notice 
of  the  strange  providence  of  God  in  preserving  the  heathen. 
They  were  many  hundreds,  old  and  young,  some  sick,  and 
some  lame  ;  many  had  papooses  at  their  backs  ;  the  greatest 
number  at  this  time  with  us  were  squaws ;  and  yet  they  tra- 
velled with  all  they  had,  bag  and  baggage,  and  they  got  over 
this  river  aforesaid  ;  and  on  Monday  they  sat  their  wigwams 
on  fire,  and  away  they  went.  On  that  very  day  came  the 
English  army  after  them  to  this  river,  and  saw  the  smoke  of 
their  wigwams,  and  yet  this  river  put  a  stop  to  them.  God  did 
not  give  them  courage  or  activity  to  go  over  after  us.  We 
were  not  ready  for  so  great  a  mercy  as  victory  and  deliverance  ; 
if  we  had  been,  God  would  have  found  out  a  way  for  the 
English  to  have  passed  this  river,  as  well  as  for  the  Indians, 
with  their  squaws  and  children,  and  all  their  luggage.  "  O 
that  my  people  had  hearkened  unto  me,  and  Israel  had  walked 
in  my  ways ;  I  should  soon  have  subdued  their  enemies,  and 
turned  my  hand  against  their  adversaries.^^ — Psal.  81  :    13,  14. 

The  Sixth  Removp:. — On  Monday,  as  I  said,  they  set  their 
wigwams  on  fire,  and  went  away.  It  was  a  cold  morning,  and 
before  us  there  was  a  great  brook  with  ice  on  it.  Some  waded 
through  it  up  to  the  knees  and  higher,  but  others  went  till  they 
came  to  a  beaver  dam,  and  I  amongst  them,  where,  through 
the  good  providence  of  God,  I  did  not  wet  my  foot,  1  went 
along  that  day  mourning  and  lamenting,  leaving  farther  my 
own  country,  and  travelling  farther  into  the  vast  and  howling 


32 


MRS.  ROWLANDSONS  CAPTIVITY. 


wilderness,  and  I  understood  sometliini:»-  of  Lot's  wife's  temp- 
tation when  she  looked  buck.  We  came  that  day  to  a  f^reat 
swamp,  by  the  side  of  which  we  took  up  our  lodniiii!^  that 
night.  When  ^ve  came  to  the  brow  of  the  hill  that  l()t)ked  to- 
ward the  swamp,  1  thounht  we  had  been  come  to  a  n-real  Indian 
town,  though  there  were  none  but  our  own  company;  the  In- 
dians were  us  thick  as  the  trees;  it  seemed  as  if  there  had 
been  a  thousand  liatchets  troing  at  once.  If  one  loolved  before 
one  there  was  notiiinijf  but  Indians,  and  behind  one  nothintr  but 
Indians  ;  and  so  on  either  hand  ;  and  I  myself  in  the  midst, 
and  no  Christian  soul  near  me,  and  yet  how  hath  tlu^  Lord 
preserved  nie  in  safety  !  Oh  the  experience  that  I  have  had 
of  the  goodness  of  God  to  me  and  mine! 

The  Sevkntii  Rkmove. — After  a  restless  and  Iningry  night 
there,  we  had  a  wearisome  time  of  't  the  next  day.  The 
swamp  by  which  we  lay  was  as  it  were  a  deep  dungeon,  and 
an  exceeding  high  and  steep  hill  before  it.  Before  I  got  to  the 
top  of  the  hill,  I  thought  my  heart  and  legs  and  all  would  have 
broken  and  failed  me.  What  through  faintness  and  soreness  of 
body,  it  was  a  grievous  day  of  travel  to  me.  As  we  went  along,  I 
saw  a  place  where  English  cattle  had  been.  That  was  a  com- 
fort to  me,  such  as  it  was.  Quickly  after  that  we  came  to 
an  English  path,  which  so  took  me  that  I  thought  I  could  there 
have  freely  lain  down  and  died.  That  day,  a  little  after  noon, 
we  came  to  Squaheag,"*  where  the  Indians  quickly  spread 
themselves  over  the  deserted  English  fields,  gleaning  Avhat  they 
could  find.  Some  picked  up  ears  of  wheat  that  were  crickled 
down,  some  found  ears  of  Indian  corn,  some  found  ground- 
nuts, and  others  sheaves  of  wheat  that  were  frozen  together  in 
the  shock,  and  went  to  threshing  of  them  out.  Myself  got  two 
ears  of  Indian  corn,  and  whilst  I  did  but  turn  my  back,  one  of 
them  was  stole  from  me,  which  much  troubled  me.  There 
came  an  Indian  to  them  at  that  time,  with  a  basket  of  horse- 
liver.  I  asked  him  to  give  me  a  piece.  "  What,''  says  he, 
"  can  you  eat  horse-liver  ? "  I  told  him  I  would  try,  i*"  he  would 
give  me  a  piece,  which  he  did  ;  and  I  laid  it  on  the  coals  to 
roast;  but  before  it  was  half  ready,  they  got  half  of  it  away 
from  me ;  so  that  I  was  forced  to  take  the  rest  and  eat  it  as  it 
was,  with  the  blood  about  my  motith,  and  yet  a  savory  bit  it 
was  to  me  ;  for  to  the  hungry  soul  every  bitter  thing  was  sweet. 
A  solemn  sight  methought  it  was,  to  see  whole  fields  of  wheat 
and  Indian  corn  forsaken  and  spoiled,  and  the  remainder  of 
them  to  be  food  for  our  merciless  enemies.  That  night  we 
had  a  mess  of  wheat  for  our  supper. 

*  Or  Squakeag,  now  Northfield. 


g..l 

call 

to 

a 

in^ 

thoi 

an(| 

tluj 

ihM 


hi- 


MliS.  ROWLAXDSON'S  CArTIVITY. 


33 


s  wife's  tornp- 
day  to  a  f,'Teat 

ItHlgiiijT  that 
hat  looked  to- 
a  o-reat  Indian 
pany;   tlie  In- 

it'  there  had 
looked  before 
le  nothing  but 
in  the  midst, 
lath  the  Lord 
at  I  liave  had 

hungry  night 

ct   day."     The 

dungeon,  and 

•e  I  got  to  the 

11  would  have 

nd  soreness  of 

;  went  along,  I 

at  was  a  com- 

L  we  came  to 

;  I  could  there 

le  after  noon, 

lickly    spread 

ng  wlial  they 

were  crickled 

una  ground- 

n  together  in 

self  got  two 

Jack,  one  of 

me.     There 

et  of  horse- 

at,"  says  he, 

i*"  he  would 

the  coals  to 

of  it  away 

d  eat  it  as  it 

savory  bit  it 

was  sweet. 

ds  of  wheat 

emainder  of 

at  night  we 


The  EifJimr  Ivi:movi',. — On  the  morrow  morning  we  must 
o-o  over  Connecticut  river,  to  meet  with  King  I'hilip.  Two 
canoes  full  thev'  had  carried  over  ;  the  next  turn  myself  was 
to  ,""0  ;  hut  as  my  foot  was  upon  the  canoe  to  step  in,  llu>re  was 
a  sudden  outcry  anmng  them,  and  I  must  step  hack  ;  and 
instead  of  going  over  the  river,  I  must  go  four  or  live  miles  up 
the  river  farther  northward.  Some  of  the  Indians  ran  one  way, 
and  some  another.  The  cause  of  this  rout  was,  as  I  thought, 
their  espying  somo  English  scouts,  who  were  thereabouts.  In 
this  travel  up  the  river,  about  noon  the  company  nuule  a  stop, 
and  sal  d((wn,  some  to  eat  and  others  to  rest  them.  As  1  sat 
amongst  iliiMu.  musing  on  things  past,  my  son  Joseph  unex- 
poctedlv  came  lo  me.  We  asked  of  each  other's  welfare,  be- 
nK)aning  our  doleful  condition,  and  tlu>  change  that  had  come 
upon  us.  We  had  hu^iiand  and  lather,  and  children  and  sis- 
ters, and  friend-5  and  relations,  and  house  and  home,  and  many 
comforts  of  thifj  life  ;  hut  now  we  might  say  as  i oh, '' Naked 
came  I  out  of  my  'mother's  loomb,  and  naked  shall  I  return. 
The  Lord  ^ave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;  blessed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord.''  I  asked  him  whether  he  would  read.  He 
told  me  he  earnestly  desired  it.  I  gave  him  my  Bible,  and  he 
liuhled  upon  that  comfortable  scripture,  Psalm  118:  17,  18, — 
''  1  shall  not  die,  but  lice,  and  declare  the  ivorks  of  the  Lord. 
The  Lord  hath  chastened  uie  sore,  yet  he  hath  not  s^lven  mc  over  to 
death.'''  "  Look  here,  mother,"  says  he,  '•  did  you  read  this  ?" 
And  here  I  may  take  occasion  to  mention  one  principal  ground 
of  my  setting  forth  these  lines,  even  as  the  Psalmist  says,  to 
declare  the  v/urks  of  the  Lord,  and  his  wonderful  power  in 
carrying  us  along,  preserving  us  in  the  wilderness  while  under 
the  enemy's  hand,  and  returning  of  us  in  safety  again  ;  and 
his  c^oodp.ess  in  bringing  to  my  hand  so  many  comfortable  and 
suiuibie  scriptures  in  my  distress. 

But  to  return.  We  travelled  on  till  night,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing we  must  go  over  the  river  to  Philip's  crew.  When  I  was 
in  the  canoe,  1  could  not  Init  be  amazed  at  the  numerous  crew 
of  Pagans  that  were  on  the  bank  on  the  other  side.  When  I 
came  ashore,  they  gathered  all  about  me,  I  si'ting  alone  in  the 
midst.  I  observed  they  asked  one  another  questions,  and 
laughed,  and  rejoiced  over  their  gains  and  victories.  Then 
my  heart  began  to  fail,  and  I  fell  a  weeping;  which  was  the 
first  time,  to  my  remembrance,  that  I  wept  before  them.  Al- 
though I  had  met  with  so  much  affliction,  and  my  heart  was 
many  times  ready  to  break,  yet  could  I  not  shed  one  tear  in 
their  siglu,  but  rather  had  been  all  this  while  in  a  maze,  and 
like  one  astonished  ;  but  now  I  may  say  as  Psal.  137  :  1, — 
^^  By  the  rivers  of  Babylon,  there  we  sat  down,  yea,  we  wept, 


r>' 


I 


':'       ! 


I  ! 


|fii 


34 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


when  we  rcmcmhercd   Z'kdi. 


Tl 


HT'   ono   0 


f  tl 


lern    as 


i<ca 


mc 


why  I  vvcpi.  1  could  hardly  tell  what  to  r^ay  ;  yet  1  answered, 
they  would  kill  me.  "  l\o,"  said  he,  'none  will  hurt  you." 
Theu  came  one  of  them,  and  gave  mc  two  spoonfuls  of  meal, 
to  comfort  me,  and  another  i;av(>  me  half  a  jiinl  of  ])eas,  which 


was  wor 


th 


more 


th 


m   many  Inisliels  at  another  inne 


'J' hen  I 


went  to  see  Kinjr  Philip.  He  hade  me  come  in  and  sit  down, 
and  asked  me  whether  I  would  smoke  it — a  usual  compliment 
no\/-a-days  among  the  saints  and  siimers ;  but  tliis  noway 
suited  me;  for  though  I  had  formerly  used  tobacco,  yet  1  iiad 
left  it  ever  since  I  was   lirst  taken.     It  srems  to  be  a  bail  the 


devil 


ays  to  make  men  lose 


their 


precmus  tune. 


1 


remember 


with  sliame  how  formerly,  when  I  had  taken  two  or  three 
pipes,  I  was  presently  ready  lor  another,  sucli  a  bewitching 
thing  it  is  ;  but  I  thank  God,  he  has  now  given  me  power  over 
it.  Surely  there  are  many  who  may  be  better  employed  than 
to  sit  sucking  a  stiidcing  tobacco-pipe. 

Now  the  Indians  gathered  their  forces  to  go  against  North- 
ampton. Over  night  one  went  about  yelling  and  hooting  to 
give  notice  of  the  design.  Whereupon  they  went  to  boning 
of  ground-nuts  and  parching  corn,  as  many  as  had  it,  for  their 
provision  ;  and  in  the  morning  away  they  went.  During  my 
abode  in  this  place,  Philip  spake  to  me  to  make  a  shirt  for  his 
boy,  which  I  did  ;  for  wliich  he  gave  me  a  shilling.  I  oflered 
the  money  to  my  mistress,  but  she  bid  me  keep  it,  and  with  it 
I  bought  a  piece  of  horse-flesh.  Afterward  he  asked  me  to 
make  a  cap  for  his  boy,  for  which  he  invited  me  to  dinner.  I 
went,  and  he  gave  me  a  pancake  about  as  big  as  two  fin- 
gers ;  it  was  made  of  parched  wheat,  beaten  and  fried  in 
bear's  grease,  but  I  thought  I  never  tasted  pleasanter  meat  in 
my  life.  There  was  a  squaw  who  spake  to  me  to  make  a  shirt 
for  her  Sannup  ;  for  which  she  gave  me  a  piece  of  beef.  An- 
other asked  me  to  knit  a  pair  of  stockings,  for  which  she  gave 
me  a  quart  of  peas.  I  boiled  my  peas  and  beef  together,  and 
invited  my  master  and  mistress  to  dinner ;  but  the  proud  gos- 
sip, because  I  served  them  both  in  one  dish,  would  eat  nothing, 
except  one  bit  that  he  gave  her  upon  the  point  of  his  knife. 
Hearing  that  my  son  was  come  to  this  place,  I  went  to  see  him, 
and  found  him  lying  flat  on  the  ground.  I  asked  him  how  he 
could  sleep  so.  He  answered  me  that  he  was  not  asleep,  but 
at  prayer,  and  that  he  lay  so  that  they  might  not  observe  what 
he  was  doing.  I  pray  God  he  may  remember  these  things 
now  he  is  returned  in  safety.  At  this  place,  the  sun  now  get- 
ting higher,  what  with  the  beams  and  heat  of  the  sun  and 
smoke  of  the  wigwams,  I  thought  I  should  have  been  blinded. 
I  could  scarce  discern  one  wigwam  from  another.     There  was 


iiv 

s(ni 

am 

lint 
the 

in 


^ITY. 

of  llic'iii  asl<cd  me 
i ;  yet  I  answered, 
lie  will  hurl  you." 
spoonl'iils  of  meal, 
pint  of  pens,  which 
her  time.  Then  I 
lo  in  and  sit  down, 

iisunl  compliuKMit 
but    ill  is    noway 

tobacco,  yet  1  hail 
s  to  be  a  bait  the 
iine.  I  remember 
Iven  two  or  three 
ucli  a  bewilchiiiy 
en  me  power  over 
er  employed  than 

10  ao-ainst  North- 
g  and  hootinir  to 
jy  went  to  boning 
IS  had  it,  for  their 
rent.     During  my 
ike  a  shirt  for  his 
lilling.     I  oflered 
?ep  it,  and  with  it 
lie  asked  me  to 
me  to  dinner.     I 
3  big  as   two  fin- 
en    and    fried    in 
easanter   meat  in 
to  make  a  shirt 
ce  of  beef.     An- 
which  she  gave 
ef  together,  and 
the  proud  gos- 
uld  eat  nothing, 
nt  of  his   knife, 
went  to  see  him, 
ced  him  how  he 
not  asleep,  but 
ot  observe  what 
jer  these  things 
le  sun  now  get- 
of  the  sun   and 
/e  been  blinded, 
er.     There  was 


MTIS    ROWl.ANDSON'S  CArilVrTY. 


n.5 


nno  Alary  Thurston,  of  INTrdlicld,  who,  seoing  how  it  wr\s  with 
\\v\  lent  me  a  hat  to  wear ;  but  as  soon  us  I  was  gone,  the 
s(jnaw  that  owned  that  Mary  Thurston  came  running  after  me, 
and  got  it  away  again.  II<m'(>  was  a  s([uaw  who  gave  mo  a 
-piHiiiriil  of  meal  ;  I  put  it  in  my  pocket  to  keep  it  safe,  yet 
iiolwiilisi;ui(ling  somebody  stole  it,  but  put  five  Indian  corns  in 
I  ho  room  of  it ;  which  corns  were  the  greatest  provision  1  had 
ill  niv  travel  for  one  day. 

Tin-  Indians  returning  from  Northampton  *  brought  with 
them  some  horses,  and  sheep,  and  other  things  which  they  had 
taken.  I  desired  them  that  they  M'ould  carry  me  to  Albany 
upon  on(>  of  iho^e  horses,  and  sell  me  for  powder  ;  for  so  they 
had  sometimes  discoursed.  I  was  utterly  helpless  of  getting 
home  on  foot,  the  way  that  1  came.  I  could  hardly  bear  to 
think  of  th(^  many  weary  steps  I  had  taken  to  this  place. 

The  Ninth  Rkmovi: . — But  instead  of  either  going  to  Al- 
bany or  homew^avd,  we  must  go  five  miles  up  tlie  river,  and  then 
go  over  it.  Hero  we  abode  a  while.  Here  lived  a  sorry  Indian, 
who  spake  to  me  to  make  him  a  shirt ;  when  I  had  done  it  he 
would  pay  me  nothing  for  it.  But  he  living  by  the  river-side, 
where  I  often  went  to  fetch  water,  I  would  often  be  putting  him 
in  mind,  and  callin'_r  for  my  pay;  at  last  he  told  me,  A  I  would 
make  another  shirt  for  a  papoose  not  yet  born,  he  would  give 
me  a  knife,  which  he  did  when  I  had  done  it.  I  carried  the 
knife  in,  and  my  master  asked  me  to  give  it  him,  and  I  was  not 
a  little  glad  that  1  had  anything  that  they  would  accept  of  and 
be  pleased  with.  When  we  were  at  this  place,  my  master's 
maid  came  home  :  she  had  been  gone  three  weeks  into  the 
Narragansett  country  to  fetch  corn,  where  they  had  stored  up 
some  in  the  ground.  She  brought  home  al)out  a  peck  and  a 
half  of  corn.  This  was  about  the  time  that  their  great  ca{)tain, 
Nao/i(i/ifo,\  was  killed  in  the  Narragansett  country. 

My  son  being  now  about  a  mile  from  me,  I  asked  liberty  to 
go  and  see  him.  They  bid  me  go,  and  away  I  went ;  but  quick- 
ly lost  myself,  travelling  over  hills  and  through  swamps,  and 
could  not  liml  the  way  to  him.  And  I  cannot  but  admire  at  the 
wonderful  power  and  goodness  of  God  to  me,  in  that  tho\igh  I 
was  gone  from  home  and  met  with  all  sorts  of  Indians,  and  those 
I  had  no  knowledge  of,  and  there  being  no  Christian  soul  near 
me,  yet  not  one  of  them  olfered  the  least  imauinaljlo  miscarriage 
to  me.  1  turned  homeward  again,  and  met  with  my  master,  and 
he  showed  me  the  way  to  my  son.  When  I  came  to  him,  I  found 
him  not  well ;  and  withal  he  had  a  boil  on  his  side  which  much 

*  Northampton  was  attacked  March  l-l,  1676. 

tNanuntennoo.  He  was  taken  April  6lh.  1676.  See  Book  of  the  In- 
dians, Book  iii   49,  50.— E.  D. 


J 


» 


i 


■  i 


I 

I 


36 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


1 


trouliknl  hitn.  Wc  bomoancd  one  nnolhor  a  while,  as  the  Lord 
helped  us,  and  then  I  returned  iiirain.  When  1  \va.s  returned, 
I  found  niyistdf  a.s  lULsatisfied  as  I  wa.s  hefore.  I  went  np  and 
down  niourninir  and  lanH'nlin^^  and  my  spirit  was  r(>ady  to  sink 
wiili  the  ihoULihis  ol  iny  pour  I'hiidi-en.  My  son  was  ill,  and  1 
could  not  but  think  of  his  mournful  looks,  havinu'  no  Christian 
friend  near  him,  to  do  any  oflice  of  love  to  him.  eitlier  for  soul  or 
l)o(ly.  And  my  poor  uirl,  I  knew  not  where  she  wa>.  nor 
whether  she  was  siek  or  well,  alive  or  dead.  1  repaired  under 
these  thouuhts  to  my  Bible,  (my  Lrreat  comforter  in  that  lime,) 
and  that  scripture  came  to  my  hand,  "  Cast  t/nj  hurdrn    upon 


the  Lord,  and  he  shall  sustain  ihcc. 


-Psal. 


00:   122. 


Hut  I  was  fain  to  go  look  alter  somethinc;  to  satisfy  my 
hunger;  and  g'oing  among  the  wigwams,  1  w^ent  into  one,  and 
there  found  a  scpiaw  who  showed  herself  very  kind  to  me,  and 
gave  me  a  jiiece  of  bear.  1  put  it  into  my  pocket  and  came 
home  ;  but  could  not  find  an  opportunity  to  broil  it,  for  fear 
they  should  get  it  iVom  me.  And  there  it  lay  all  the  day  and 
night  in  my  stinking  pocket.  In  the  morning,  1  went  again  to 
the  same  squaw,  wlio  had  a  kettle  of  ground-nuts  boiling.  I 
asked  }ier  to  let  me  boil  my  piece  of  bear  in  the  kettle,  which 
she  dill,  and  gave  mc  some  ground-nuts  to  eat  with  it  ;  and  1 
cannot  but  think  how  pleasant  it  was  to  me.  I  have  sometimes 
seen  bear  baked  handstjinely  amongst  the  English,  and  some 
liked  it,  but  the  thoughts  that  it  was  bear  nuide  me  tremble. 
But  now,  that  was  savory  to  me  that  one  would  think  was 
enough  to  turn  the  stomach  of  a  brute  creature. 

One  bitter  cold  day,  I  could  find  no  room  to  sit  down  before 
the  fire.  I  went  out,  and  could  not  tell  what  to  do,  but  I  went 
into  another  wigwam,  where  they  were  also  sitting  round  the 
fire  ;  but  the  scjuaw  laiu  a  skin  for  me,  and  bid  me  sit  down, 
and  gave  me  some  ground-nuts,  and  bid  nie  come  agr  in,  and 
told  me  they  would  buy  me  if  they  were  able.  And  yet  these 
were  strangers  to  me  that  I  never  knew  before. 

The  Tenth  Reimove. — That  day  a  small  part  of  the  com- 
pany removed  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile,  intending  farther 
the  next  day.  When  they  came  to  the  place  they  intended  to 
lodi>'e,  and  had  pitched  their  wigwams,  being  hungry,  I  went 
again  back  to  the  place  we  were  before  at,  to  get  L-^omelhing  to 
eat ;  being  encouraged  by  the  squaw's  kindness,  who  bid  me 
come  again.  When  I  Avas  there,  there  came  an  Indian  to  look 
after  me  ;  who,  when  he  had  found  me,  kicked  me  all  along. 
I  went  home  and  found  venison  roasting  that  night,  but  they 
wouUl  not  give  me  one  bit  of  it.  Sometimes  1  met  with  favor, 
and  sometimes  with  nothing  but  frowns. 

The  Eleventh  Remove. — The  next  day  in  the  morning, 


vU 


ITV. 

tvhilo,  as  the  Lord 
n  I  wa.s  reliiriM'd. 
'■  i  Weill  up  and 
was  ready  to  .sirdc 
sou  was  ill,  and  I 
^iii*-'  uo  Chrisiiau 
.  either  lor  soul  or 
ro  she  was,  uor 
I  repaired  under 
'ter  iu  that  tiuie,) 
hy  harden   vpon 

ig"  to   satisfy  my 

L'Ut  into  one",  and 

Kind  to  uie,  and 

pocket  and  came 

broil    it,  for  fear 

'  all  the  day  and 

,  I  went  ai^aiu  to 

•nuts  boiling.     I 

he  kettle,  which 

t  with  it ;  and  I 

have  sometimes 

^•"lish,  and   some 

do  me  tremble. 

puld   think   was 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  rAPTIVlTY. 


ffl 


sit  down  before 
do,  but  I  went 
tting  round  the 
d  me  sit  down, 
nine  aorin,  and 
And  yet  these 

rt  of  the  com- 

eiulinu-  farther 

ley  intended  to 

iniyry,  I  went 

t  something-  to 

s,  who  bid  me 

Indian  to  look 

me  all  along. 

light,  but  they 

el  with  favor, 


th 


e  morning, 


they  look  their  travel,  intending  a  day's  journey  up  the  river; 
I  look  my  load  at  my  i)ack,  and  quickly  we  came  to  wade  over 
a  river,  and  passed  over  tiresome  and  wearisome  hills.  One 
hill  was  so  sleep,  ihat  I  was  fain  to  creep  up  Ujion  my  knees, 
and  to  hold  by  the  twigs  and  bushes  to  Keej)  myself  from  falling 
backward.  Aly  head  also  was  so  light  that  I  usually  reeled  as 
1  went.  IJui  I  lu>pc  all  tlutse  wearisome  steps  that  I  have 
taken  are  but  a  forwarding  of  me  to  the  heavenly  rest.  *'  / 
know,  O  Lord,  lliat  thy  jud<r/nenfs  are  rip;ht,  and  that  thou  in 
faithfidne^a  hath  aj/lirtcd  ?ner—l\;\Un  119:  7.1. 

Thk  Twklftu  Rkmovi:. — It  was  upon  a  Sabbath-day  morn- 
ing that  they  prepared  for  their  travel.  This  morning  I  asked 
my  master  whether  he  wf)ul(l  sell  me  to  my  husband  ;  he  an- 
swered, 71UX ;  which  did  much  rejoice  my  spirits.  My  mistresi?, 
before  we  went,  was  gone  to  the  burial  of  a  papoos,  and  return- 
ing, she  found  me  sitting  and  reading  in  my  Bible.  She 
snatched  it  hastily  out  of  my  hand  and  threw  it  out  of  doors. 
I  ran  out  and  cautjht  it  up,  and  put  il  in  my  pocket,  and  never 
let  her  see  it  afterwards.  Then  they  packed  up  their  things 
to  be  gone,  and  gave  me  my  load  ;  I  complaine<|  it  was  too 
heavy,  whereupon  she  gave  me  a  slap  on  the  face  and  bid  me 
be  gone.  I  lifted  up  my  heart  to  God,  hoping  that  redemption 
was  not  far  off;  and  the  rather  because  their  insolence  grew 
worse  and  worse. 

But  thoughts  of  my  going  homeward,  for  so  wo  bent  our 
course,  much  cheered  my  spirit,  and  made  my  burden  seem 
light,  and  almost  nothing  at  all.  But,  to  my  amazement  and 
great  perplexity,  the  scale  was  soon  turned  ;  for  when  we  had 
got  a  little  way,  on  a  sudden  my  mistress  gave  out  she  would 
go  no  further,  but  turn  back  again,  and  said  I  must  go  back 
again  with  her ;  and  she  called  her  sannup,  and  would  have  had 
him  go  back  also,  but  he  would  not,  but  said  he  would  go  on, 
and  come  to  us  again  in  three  days.  ]\Iy  spirit  was  upon  this, 
I  confess,  very  im[)atient,  and  almost  outrageous.  I  ihotight  1 
could  as  well  have  died  as  went  back.  I  cannot  declare  the 
trouble  that  I  was  in  about  it ;  back  airain  I  must  go.  As  soon 
as  I  had  an  opportunity,  I  took  my  Bible  to  road,  and  that  qui- 
eting scripture  came  to  my  hand,  Psalm  46:  10, — ^^  Be  stii., 
and  knoio  that  I  am  God  ;^'  which  stilled  my  spirit  for  the 
present;  i)ut  a  sore  time  of  trial  I  concluded  I  had  to  go  through; 
my  master  being  gone,  who  seemed  to  me  the  best  friend  I  had 
of  an  Indian,  both  in  cold  and  hunger,  and  quickly  so  it  proved. 
Down  I  sat,  with  my  heart  as  full  as  it  could  hold,  and  yet  .so 
hungry  that  I  could  not  sit  neither.  But  poing  out  to  see  what 
I  could  find,  and  walking  among  the  trees,  I  found  six  acorns 
and  two  chesnuts,  which  were  some  refreshment  to  me.     To- 


1 1 


38 


MRS.  KOWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


wards  iii'_;lit  I  j/.'iihcrcil  inc  some  Mii'ks  lor  iny  '>^vn  comfort, 
llial  I  iiiiirlit  noi  liiM'old  ;  l»Mt  wlicn  we  tain*'  to  lie  down,  ihcy 
bid  inc  ijo  out  and  lie  ^oiiicu  licro  cdsc,  for  iIk^v  liad  coinpunvi 
they  .<«ai(i  comc!  in  inori'  than  their  own.  I  tohl  tl'.eui  1  coiud 
not  trdl  wliere  to  n-o  ;  ihcy  l>id  ine  lm)  !o(dv  ;  I  told  them  il'  I 
went  tt)  anolhrr  wiywam  iht-y  woiihl  he  aiijiry  Juul  "iend  me 
homo  ai^ain.  Then  one  of  the  company  drew  his  sword  and 
told  mc  lie  would  run  me  throuiifh  if  1  did  not  iro  presently. 
Then  :vas  I  i'nin  to  ^toop  to  this  ruile  fellow,  and  iifo  ont  in  the 
iii'jht  I  knew  not  whillu-r.  Mine  eyes  hath  seen  that  fellow 
afterwards  walkini'  up  ami  down  in  Boston,  under  the  appear- 
ance of  a  friendlv  Indian,  ami  several  others  of  the  like  cut.      I 


W(>nt   to  one  wiywam,  and   they  to! 


me 


ih 


(^y  had  no  room. 


Tlu-n  I  went  to  another,  and  ihey  i-aid  the  same.  At  last,  an 
old  Indian  hid  me  come  to  him,  and  his  sfpiaw  pfave  me  some 
jTround-imts  ;  she  <rave  mo  also  something''  to  lay  under  my 
head,  and  a  cfood  fire  wo  had  ;  thronirh  the  pood  providence 
of  Crod,  I  had  a  romforlal)l(?  lodirini,''  that  niirht.  In  the  morn- 
ing, another  Indian  hid  me  come  at  nij^hl  and  he  would  give 
mc  six  n-round-nuts,  which  I  did.  We  were  at  this  place  and 
time  about  two  miles  from  Connecticut  river.  We  went  in  the 
mornint.^  to  qather  trround-nuts,  to  tlie  river,  and  went  back 
nLmin  at  niirht.  I  went  with  a  fifreat  load  at  my  back,  for  they 
when  they  went,  thouirh  but  a  little  way,  would  carry  all  their 
trumpery  with  them.  I  told  them  the  skin  was  off  my  back, 
but  I  had  no  other  comfortinif  answer  from  them  thuti  this,  that 
it  would  hi'  no  matter  if  my  head  was  off  too. 

TiiH  Tuii!TKi:\TH  lii:M()VK. — Instead  of  going  towards  the 
bay,  which  was  what  1  desired,  I  must  go  with  them  live  or 
six  miles  down  the  river,  into  a  miglity  thicket  of  brush  ;  where 
wo  abode  almost  a  fortnight.  Here  (  ne  asked  me  to  malce  a 
shirt  for  her  j)apoos,  for  which  she  gave  me  a  mess  of  broth, 
which  was  thickened  with  meal  made  of  the  bark  of  a  tree  ; 
and  to  make  it  better  she  had  put  into  it  about  a  handful  of 
peas,  and  a  few  roasted  ground-nuts.  I  had  not  seen  my  son 
a  pretty  while,  and  here  was  an  Indian  of  whom  I  made  enqui- 
ry after  him,  and  asked  him  when  he  saw  him.  He  answered 
me,  that  such  a  time  his  master  roasted  him,  and  that  himself 
did  ea*.  a  piece  of  him  as  big  as  his  two  fmgers,  and  that  he 
was  very  good  meat.  But  the  Lord  upheld  my  spirit  under 
this  discouragement;  ami  I  considered  their  horrible  addicted- 
ness  to  lying,  and  that  there  is  not  one  of  them  that  makes  the 
least  conscience  of  ^'penking  the  truth. 

In  this  place,  one  cold  night,  as  I  lay  by  the  fire,  I  removed 
a  stick  which  kept  the  heat  from  me  ;  a  squaw  moved  it  down 
again,  at  which  I  looked  up,  and  she  threw  an  handful  of  ashes 


I 


in 
m-| 

'".' 
rc' 

si(i 

v/k 

f/ni 

br 

thi 

bed 

will 

ani 

qui 


^. 


MnS.  nOWLANDSON-S  cAPTivrrv. 


39 


own  com  fori, 
ic  down,  tliry 
lia<l  rordpiiiiy, 

th.ciii  1  foiiid 
:()l(l  llu'in  it'  I 
unci  Si(Mi(l  nie 
lis  ^s\vor{i  !uul 

iro  prcsoiiily. 

i,M  out  in  the 
L'n  that  fellow 
it  the  nppciu- 
o  liko  cut.  I 
lad  no  room. 
.  At  last,  an 
fave  me  some 
lay  under  my 
n\  providence 

In  the  morn- 
ic  would  <^nve 
his  place  and 
e  went  in  the 
id  went  back 
jack,  for  they 
•arry  all  their 

oil  my  back, 
liau  this,  that 

■  towards  the 
them  live  or 
rush  ;  where 

0  to  make  a 
ess  of  broth, 

k  of  a  tree ; 
a  handful  of 
scon  my  son 

nade  enqui- 
re answered 
that  himself 

and  that  he 

spirit  under 
jle  addictcd- 

t  makes  the 

S  I  removed 
ved  it  down 
Iful  of  ashes 


in  my  fy<'^  J  I  thouj;hl  I  should  have  been  (juite  bliiideil  and 
never  have  seen  more  ;  Itut,  lyimr  <lown,  the  water  ran  otit  of 
my  eyes,  and  carrii'd  the  dirt  with  it,  that  by  the  morniiiuf  I 
recov»'red  my  siijht  au^ain.  Vet  upon  this,  and  the  like  occa- 
sions, I  hope  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  with  Jul),  "  llarc  pihj 
vpo/i  /nf,  harp  pity  iifxtn  inr,  O  ijr  nnj  fric nils,  for  the  hand  of 
the  l.Olil)  has  touched  me.''  And  here,  I  cannot  but  remem- 
lier  how  many  time>,  >ittiMi:;  in  thrir  wii,''uams,  and  musiii'jf  on 
thini^s  past,  I  should  suddenly  leap  up  and  run  out,  as  it  I  had 
been  at  home,  fori^i'tiint,'  where  I  was,  and  what  my  roiulition 
was;  but  when  1  was  without,  and  saw  nolhini;  but  wiKlorncss 
and  woods,  and  a  company  of  barbarous  heathen,  my  mind 
quickly  returned  to  me,  which  mad*'  lue  think  of  that  spoken 
coucernint,''  Saiiistui,  who  said,  *'  //'•///  i^n  out  and  shnhe  niijsrlf 
as  at  othir  lii/ivs,  but  he  tviat  not  that  the  Lord  was  departed 
front  him."' 

Al)()nt  this  tim(»  I  beffau  to  think'  that  nil  my  hopes  of  resto- 
ration wonKl  come  to  iioihintr.  1  thou<j^ht  of  the  liiiL^Mish  army, 
and  hoped  for  their  comiiii,^,  and  beinir  retaken  by  them,  but 
that  failed.  1  boprd  to  be  carried  to  Albany,  as  the  Indians 
had  discoursed,  but  that  failed  also.  I  thouifbt  of  beinuc  ^oW 
to  my  husband,  as  my  inastiM'  spake  ;  but  instead  of  that,  my 
master  himself  was  i,rone,  and  1  left  behind,  so  that  my  spirit 
was  now  ([uite  ready  to  sink.  1  asked  them  to  let  me  go  out 
and  pick  up  some  sticks,  that  I  mii^ht  f^et  alone,  and  pour  out 
my  heart  unto  the  Lord.  Then  also  I  took  my  liible  to  ^ead, 
but  I  fonnil  no  comfort  here  neither;  yet,  I  can  say  in  all  my 
sorrows  and  atilictions,  God  did  not  leave  me  to  have  any  im- 
patient work  toward  himself,  as  if  his  ways  were  unriohteous ; 
but  I  knew  that  he  laid  upon  me  less  than  I  deserved.  After- 
ward, before  this  doleful-  time  endeil  with  me,  I  was  turnino; 
the  leaves  of  my  liible,  and  the  Lord  brou<>ht  to  mo  some 
scripture  which  did  a  little  revive  me;  as  that,  Isa.  5-5:  8, — 
^'■For  mij  thoii<yhts  arc  not  ijonr  thon^jrJtts,  neither  are  my  irays 
your  H-nys,  sailh  the  Lord.'''  And  also  that,  Psalm  37  :  iy, — 
'' Commit  thy  ways  vato  the  Lord,  trust  also  in  him,  and  he 
shall  brins;  it  to  pa,:s." 

About  this  time,  they  came  yelpinir  from  Hadley,^  havinir 
there  killed  three  Enolishmen,  and  brouq-ht  one  captive  with 
them,  viz.  Thomas  Reed.  They  all  gathered  about  the  poor 
man,  asking  him  many  questions.  I  desired  also  to  go  and 
see  him ;  and  wheti  I  came,  he  was  crying  bitterly,  supposing 

*  In  the  begrinnini?  of  April,  a  number  of  die  inhabitants  of  Hadley, 
having  ventured  out  some  distance  from  the  guard,  for  the  purpose  of  til 
lage,  were  attacked  by  tiie  Indians,  and  three  of  them  killed. 


t 


w 


ii 


40 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


they  would  quickly  kill  him.  Whereupon  I  asked  one  of  them 
whether  they  intended  to  kill  him  ;  he  answered  me  they 
would  not.  He  being  a  little  cheered  with  that,  I  asked  hitn 
about  the  welfare  oi  my  husband  ;  he  told  me  he  saw  hi-m  such 
a  time  in  the  Bay,  and  he  was  well,  but  very  melancholy.  By 
which  I  certainly  understood,  though  I  suspected  it  before,  that 
whatsoever  the  Indians  told  me  respecting  him  was  vanity  and 
lies.  Some  of  them  told  me  he  was  dead,  and  they  had  killed 
him  ;  some  said  he  was  married  again,  and  that  the  governor 
wished  him  to  marry,  and  told  him  that  he  should  have  his 
choice  ;  and  that  all  persuaded  him  that  I  was  dead.  So  like 
were  these  barbarous  creatures  to  him  who  was  a  liar  from  the 
beginning. 

As  I  was  sitting  once  in  the  wigwam  here,  Philip's  maid 
came  with  the  child  in  her  arms,  and  asked  me  to  give  her  a 
piece  of  my  apron  to  make  a  flap  for  it.  I  told  her  I  would 
not ;  then  my  mistress  bid  me  give  it,  but  I  stilt  said  no ;  the 
maid  told  me  if  I  would  not  give  her  a  piece,  she  would  tear 
a  piece  ofT  it.  I  told  her  I  would  tear  her  coat  then  :  with 
that  my  mistress  rises  up,  and  takes  up  a  stick  big  enough  to 
have  killed  me,  and  struck  at  me  with  it,  but  I  stept  out,  and 
she  struck  the  stick  into  the  mat  of  the  wigwam.  But  while 
she  was  pulling  it  out,  I  ran  to  the  maid,  and  gave  her  all  my 
apron  ;   and  so  that  storm  went  over. 

Hearing  that  my  son  was  come  to  ibis  place,  I  went  to  see 
him,  and  told  him  his  father  was  well,  but  very  melancholy. 
He  told  me  he  was  as  much  grieved  for  his  father  as  for  him- 
self. I  wondered  at  his  speech,  for  I  thought  I  had  enough 
upon  my  spirit,  in  reference  to  myself,  to  make  mo  mindless  of 
my  husband  and  every  one  else,  they  being  safe  among  their 
friends.  He  told  me  also,  that  a  while  before,  his  master,  to- 
gether with  other  Indians,  were  going  to  the  French  for  powder  j 
but  by  the  way  the  Mohawks  met  with  them,  and  killeil  four  of 
their  company,  which  made  the  rest  turn  back  again  ;  for  which 
I  desire  that  myself  and  he  may  ever  bless  the  Lord  ;  for  it 
might  have  been  woiije  with  hiin  had  he  been  sold  to  the 
French,  than  it  proved  to  be  in  his  remaining  with  the  Indians. 

I  went  to  see  an  English  youth  in  this  place,  one  John  Gil- 
bert, of  Springfield.  I  found  him  laying  without  doors  upon 
the  ground.  I  asked  him  how  he  did  ;  he  told  me  he  was  very 
sick  of  a  ui:x  v.-ith  Cullng  so  much  blood.  They  had  turned 
him  out  of  the  wigwam,  and  with  him  an  Indian  papoos, 
almost  dead,  (whose  parents  had  been  killed,)  in  a  bitter  cold 
day,  without  fire  or  clothes  ;  the  young  man  himself  had 
nothing  on  but  his  shirt  and  waistcoat.  This  sight  was  enough 
to  melt  a  heart  of  (lint.     There  they  lay  quivering  in  the  cold. 


i 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CARTIVITY. 


41 


cd  one  of  them 
tfercd  me  they 
t,  I  asked  h'nn 
I  saw  him  such 
lancholy.  By 
il  before,  that 
ivas  vanity  and 
hey  had  killed 
t  the  jTovernor 
lould  have  his 
lead.  So  like 
3  liar  from  the 

Philip's  maid 
;  to  g-ive  her  a 
d  her  I  would 
\  said  no ;  the 
he  would  tear 
lat  then  :  with 
big-  enough  to 
stept  out,  and 
1.  But  while 
ve  her  all  my 

I  went  to  see 

/•  melancholy, 
er  as  for  him- 
had  enough 
mindless  of 
among  their 
s  master,  to- 
for  powder  r 
illcil  four  of 
;  for  which 
Lord  ;  for  it 
sold    to   the 
the  Indians, 
ic  John  Gil- 
doors  upon 
he  was  very 
had  turned 
ian    papoos, 
a  bitter  cold 
limself  had 
was  onoug-h 
in  the  cold. 


the  youth  round  like  a  doof,  the  papoos  stretched  out,  with  his 
eyes,  nose,  and  mouth  full  of  dirt,  and  yet  alive,  and  groaning. 
I  advised  John  to  go  and  get  to  some  fire  ;  he  told  me  lie  could 
not  stand,  but  I  persuaded  him  still,  lest  he  should  lie  there 
and  (lie.  And  with  much  ado  I  got  him  to  a  fire,  and  went 
myself  home.  As  soon  as  I  was  got  home,  his  master's  daugh- 
ter came  after  me,  to  know  what  I  had  done  with  the  Engflish- 
man  ;  I  told  her  I  had  got  him  to  a  fire  in  such  a  place.  Now 
had  I  need  to  pray  Paul's  prayer,  2  Thess.  3  :  2, — ^' that  we 
may  be  delivered  from  vnreasonnhle  and  nucked  men.'''  For 
her  satisfaction  I  went  along  with  her,  and  brought  her  to  him  ; 
but  before  1  got  home  again,  it  was  noised  about  that  I  was 
running  away,  and  n-etting  the  English  youth  along  with  me  ; 
that  as  soon  as  I  came  in,  they  becran  to  rant  and  domineer, 
asking  me  wh  ;re  I  had  been,  and  what  I  had  been  doing,  and 
saying  they  would  knock  me  on  the  head.  I  told  them  I  had 
been  seeing  the  English  youth,  and  that  I  would  not  run  away. 
They  told  me  I  lied,  and  getting  up  a  hatchet,  they  came  to 
me  and  said  they  would  knock  me  down  if  I  stirred  out  again  ; 
and  so  confined  me  to  the  wigwam.  Now  may  I  say  with 
David,  2  Sam.  24  :  14, — "  /  am  in  a  great  strait.''^  If  I  keep 
in,  I  must  die  with  hunger  ;  and  if  I  go  out,  I  must  be  knocked 
on  the  head.  This  distressed  condition  held  that  day,  and  half 
the  next ;  and  then  the  Lord  remembered  me,  whose  mercies 
are  great.  Then  came  an  Indian  to  me  with  a  pair  of  stock- 
ings which  were  too  big  for  him,  and  he  would  have  me 
ravel  them  out,  and  knit  them  fit  for  him.  I  showed  myself 
willing,  and  bid  him  ask  my  mistress  if  I  might  go  along  with 
him  a  little  way.  She  said  yes,  I  might  ;  but  I  was  not  a  little 
refreshed  with  that  news,  that  I  had  my  liberty  again.  Then 
I  went  along  with  him,  and  he  gave  me  some  roasted  ground- 
nuts, which  did  again  revive  my  feeble  stomach. 

Being  got  out  of  her  siirht,  I  had  time  and  liberty  again  to 
look  into  my  Bibld  which  was  iny  guide  by  day,  and  my  pil- 
low by  night.  Now  that  comfortable  scripture  presented  itself 
to  me,  Isa.  ^5:  7, — "  For  a  small  moment  hare  T  forsaken  thee, 
hut  with  great  mercies  icill  I  gather  thee.''  Tlius  the  Lord 
carried  mu  along  from  one  time  to  another,  and  made  good  to 
me  this  precious  promise  and  many  others.  Then  my  son 
came  to  see  me,  and  I  asked  his  masti  r  to  let  him  stay  a  while 
with  me,  that  I  might  comb  his  head  and  look  over  him,  for  he 
was  almost  overcome  with  lice.  Ho  told  me  when  I  had  done 
that  he  was  very  hungry,  but  I  had  nothing  to  relieve  him,  but 
bid  him  go  into  the  wigwams  as  he  went  alono*,  and  see  if  he 
could  get  any  thing  among  them  ;  which  he  did,  and,  it  seems, 

tarried  a  little  too  long,  for  his  master  was  angry  with  him,  and 

4^ 


I 


1^1 


42 


MUS.  nOWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


I 


beat  him,  and  then  sold  him.  Then  he  came  running  to  tell 
me  he  had  a  new  master,  and  that  he  had  g-iven  him  some 
ground-nuts  already.  Then  I  went  along  with  him  to  his  new 
master,  who  told  me  he  loved  him,  and  he  should  not  \vant. 
So  his  master  carried  him  away  ;  and  I  never  saw  him  after- 
ward, till  I  saw  him  at  Piscataqua,  in  Portsmouth. 

That  night  they  bid  me  go  out  of  the  wigwam  again  ;  my 
mistress's  papoos  was  sick,  and  it  died  that  night;  and  there 
was  one  benefit  in  it,  that  there  was  more  room.  I  went  to  a 
wigwam  and  they  bid  me  come  in,  and  gave  me  a  skin  to  lie 
upon,  and  a  mess  of  venison  and  ground-nuts,  which  was  a 
choice  dish  among  them.  On  the  morrow  they  buried  the 
papoos ;  and  afterward,  both  morning  and  evening,  there  came 

company  to  mourn  and  howl  with  her  ;  though  I  confess  I 
could  not  much  condole  with  them.  Many  sorrowful  days  I 
had  in  this  place  ;  often  getting  alone,  "  like  a  crane  or  a 
swallow,  so  did  I  chatter  ;  I  did  mourn  as  a  dove;  mine  eyes  fail 
with  lookiyig  vpivard.  O  Lord,  I  am  oppressed,  nndertalce  for 
iTie.^^ — Isa.  38  :  14.  I  could  tell  the  Lord  as  Hezekiah,  ver.  3, 
■^  Reynember  now,  O  Lord,  I  beseech  thee,  hoio  I  hare  icalkcd  be- 
fore thee  in  trnih.^^  Now  had  I  time  to  examine  all  my  ways. 
My  conscience  did  not  accuse  me  of  unrighteousness  towards 
one  or  another ;  yet  I  saw  how  in  my  walk  with  God  I  had  been 
a  careless  creature.  As  David  said,  '■''against  thee  only  have  1 
sinned."  And  I  might  say  with  the  poor  publican,  "  God  be 
merciful  unto  me  a  siwier."  Upon  the  Sabbath  days  I  could 
look  upon  the  sun,  and  think  how  people  were  going  to  the 
house  of  Grod  to  have  tlielr  souls  refreshed,  and  then  home  and 
their  bodies  also  ;  but  I  was  destitute  of  both,  and  might  say 
as  the  poor  prodigal,  "  He  icould  fain  have  filled  his  belly  wiih 
the  husks  that  the  sii.ufie  did  eat,  and  no  man  gave  vnto  hiin.'^ 
Luke  15:  16.  For  I  must  s:iy  with  him,  '-Father,  I  have  sin- 
7i€d  against  heaven  and  in  thy  sight.''' — Ver.  21.  I  remember 
how  on  the  night  before  and  after  the  Sabbath,  when  my  fam- 
ily was  about  me,  and  relations  and  neighbors  with  us,  we 
could  pray,  and  sing,  and  refresh  our  bodies  with  the  good 
creatures  of  God,  and  ihcn  have  a  comfcrt-ible  bed  to  lie  down 
on  ;  but  instead  of  all  this,  I  had  only  a  little  swill  for  the  body, 
and  then,  like  a  swine,  must  lie  down  on  the  ground.  I  cannot 
express  to  man  the  sorrow  that  lay  upon  my  spirit,  the  Lord 
knows  it.  Yet  that  comfortable  t^cripture  would  often  come  to 
my  mind, — "  For  a  small  moment  have  Iforsake7i  thee,  Intt  icith 
great  mercies  v;iU  I  gather  thee."" 

The  Fourteenth  Remove.— Now  must  we  pack  up  and  be 
gone  from  this  thicket,  bending  our  course  towards  the  Bay 
towns  ;  I  having  nothing  to  eat  by  the  way  this  day  but  a  few 


"W 


! 


lining'  lo  tell 
ren  him  some 
im  to  hig  new 
uld  not  want, 
iw  him  after- 
1. 

n  again  ;  my 

It ;  and  there 

I  went  to  a 

!  a  skin  to  lie 

which  was  a 

y  buried  the 

?,  there  came 

1  I  confess  I 

rowful  days  I 

a  crane  or  a 

mine  eyes  fail 

'in der take  for 

ekiah,  ver.  3, 

!i*c  u-alkcdbC' 

all  my  ways. 

ness  towards 

3d  I  had  been 

e  only  have  I 

an,  "  God  he 

days  I  could 

going  to  the 

n  home  and 

might  say 

2S  belly  wiik 

imto  him.'''' 

I  have  sin- 

I  remember 

en  my  fam- 

ith   us,  we 

I  the  good 

to  lie  down 

"or  the  body, 

I  cannot 

it,  the  Lord 

n  come  to 

•fc,  hit  iL'ith 

up  and  be 
Is  the  Bay 
r  but  a  few 


MRS.  ROWLANDSOX'S  CAPTIVITY 


43 


crums  of  cake  that  an  Indian  gave  my  girl  the  same  day  we 
were  taken.  She  gave  it  mo,  and  1  put  it  in  my  pocket. 
There  it  lay,  till  it  was  so  mouldy,  for  want  of  g-ood  baking, 
that  one  could  not  tell  what  it  was  made  of;  it  fell  all  into 
crums,  and  grow  so  dry  and  hard  that  it  was  like  little  flints; 
and  this  refreshed  me  many  times  when  1  was  ready  to  faint. 
It  was  in  my  thoughts  when  I  put  it  to  my  mouth,  that  if  ever 
I  returned  1  would  tell  the  world  what  a  blessing  the  Lord 
gave  to  su'.'h  mean  food.  As  we  v.'ent  along,  they  killed  a 
deer,  with  a  young  one  in  her.  They  gave  me  a  piece  of  the 
fawn,  and  it  was  so  young  and  lender  that  one  might  eat  the 
bones  as  well  as  the  flesh,  and  yet  I  thought  it  very  good. 
When  night  came  on  we  sat  down.  It  rained,  but  they  ([uickly 
got  up  a  bark  wigwam,  where  I  lay  dry  that  night.  1  looked 
out  in  the  morning,  and  many  of  them  had  lain  in  the  rain  all 
night,  I  knew  by  their  reeking.  Thus  the  Lord  dealt  merci- 
fully with  me  many  times,  and  I  fared  better  than  many  of 
them.  In  the  morning  they  took  the  blood  of  the  deer,  and 
put  it  into  the  paunch,  and  so  boiled  it.  I  could  cat  nothing- 
of  that,  though  they  eat  it  sweetly.  And  yet  they  were  so 
nice  in  other  things,  that  when  I  had  fetched  water,  and  had 
put  the  dish  I  di})pod  the  water  with  into  the  kettle  of  water 
which  I  brought,  they  would  say  they  would  knock  me  down, 
for  they  said  it  was  a  sluttish  trick. 

The  Fifteenth  Remove. — We  went  on  our  travel.  I  hav- 
ing got  a  handful  of  ground-nuts  for  my  support  that  day, 
they  gave  me  my  load,  and  I  went  on  cheerfully,  with  the 
thoughts  of  going  homeward,  having  mv  buiihen  more  upon 
my  back  than  my  spirit.  We  came  to  Baquaug  river  agaii> 
that  day,  near  which  we  abode  a  few  days.  Sometimes  one 
ofthoin  would  give  me  a  pipe,  another  a  little  tobacco,  another 
a  little  salt,  which  I  would  change  for  victuals.  I  cannot  but 
think  what  a  woliish  ajipctite  persons  have  in  a  starving  con- 
dition ;  for  many  times,  when  they  gave  me  that  which  was 
hot,  I  was  so  greedy,  that  I  should  burn  my  mouth,  that  it 
would  trouble  me  many  hours  ait=}r,  and  yet  I  should  (juickly 
do  the  like  again.  And  after  I  was  thoroughly  hungry,  I  was 
never  again  satisfied  ;  for  though  it  sometimes  fell  out  that  I 
had  got  enough,  and  did  eat  till  I  could  eat  no  more,  yet  I  was 
as  unsatisfied  as  I  was  when  I  began.  And  now  could  I  see 
that  scripture  verified,  there  being  many  si  riptures  Uiat  we  do 
not  take  notice  of  or  understand  till  we  are  afllicted,  iAIic.  6  :  14, 
— "-Thou  shalt  eat  and  not  be  satisfied.'^  Now  mitrht  I  see  more 
than  ever  before  the  miseries  that  sin  huih  brought  upon  us. 
Many  times  I  should  be  ready  to  run  out  against  the  heathen, 
but  that  scripture  would  quiet  me  again,  Amos  2  :  0, — "  Shall 


J 


3  f 

'    f 

t 

1 

\ 


44 


MRS.  ROWLANDSO^''S  CAPTIVITY. 


there  be  evil  in  the  city,  and  the  Lord  hath  not  done  it  ?  "  The 
Lord  lic'lj)  me  to  make  a  riu^hl  improvement  of  his  word,  that  I 
mi^-ht  leiini  that  i,rreat  k>sson,  Alio.  0:  8,  9, — "  He  hath  showed 
thee,  O  man,  leJiat  is  good ;  and  what  doth  the  Lord  require  of 
thee,  but  to  do  justly  and  love  mercy,  and  ivalk  numbly  ivith  thy 
God?     Hear  ye  the  rod,  and  who  hath  appointed  it.'' 

The  SixTKicNTii  Hk.move. — We  beyan  iJiitj  remove  with 
wadiiiu^  over  Bacjuauir  river.  The  water  was  up  to  our  knees, 
and  the  stream  very  swil't,  and  so  cold  tliat  I  tliouL^ht  it  v>ould 
liave  cut  me  in  sunder.  I  was  so  weak  and  feeble  tliat  I  reeled 
as  I  went  alone,  and  thoufj-ht  there  I  must  end  my  days  at  last, 
after  my  bearing  and  getting  through  so  many  dilHculties. 
The  Indians  stood  laughing  to  sec  me  staggering  along,  but  in 
my  distress  the  Lord  gave  me  experience  of  the  truth  and 
goodness  of  that  promise,  Isa.  43:  2, — '^Whe/i  thou  jmssetk 
through  the  water  I  will  be  ivith  thee,  and  through  the  rivers, 
they  shall  not  overjloio  thee^  Then  I  sat  down  to  put  on  my 
stockings  and  shoes,  with  the  tears  running  dov/n  my  eyes, 
and  many  sorrowful  thoughts  in  my  heart.  But  I  got  up  to 
go  along  with  ihem.  Quickly  there  came  up  to  us  an  Indian 
who  inlbrined  them  that  I  must  go  to  \Vachu^>et^  to  my  mas- 
ter, for  there  was  a  letter  come  from  the  council  to  the  saga- 
mores about  redeeming  the  captives,  and  that  there  would  be 
another  in  fourteen  days,  and  that  I  must  be  there  ready.  My 
heart  was  so  heavy  before  that  I  could  scarce  speak  or  go  in 
the  path,  and  yet  now  so  light  that  I  could  run.  My  strength 
seemed  to  come  again,  and  to  recruit  my  feeble  knees  and 
aching  lieart ;  yet  it  pleased  them  to  go  but  one  mile  that 
night,  and  there  we  staid  two  days.  In  that  time  came  a  com- 
pany of  Indians  to  us,  near  thirty,  all  on  horseback.  My  heart 
ski])ped  within  me,  thinking  they  had  been  Englishmen,  at  the 
first  sight  of  them  ;  for  they  were  dressed  in  English  apparel, 
with  hats,  white  neckcloths,  and  sashes  about  their  waists,  and 
ribbons  upon  their  shoulders.  But  when  they  cam-^  near  there 
w^as  a  vast  ditlerence  between  the  lovely  faces  of  Christians 
and  the  foul  looks  of  those  heathen,  which  much  damped  my 
spirits  again. 

The  Seventeenth  Remove. — A  comfortable  remove  it  was 
to  me,  because  of  my  hopes.  They  gave  me  my  pack  and 
along  we  went  cheerfully.     But  quickly  my  v,  ill  proved  more 

*  Princeton.  The  mountain  in  this  town  still  retains  the  name  of  Wa- 
chuset,  notwithstamlinj?  a  recent  attempt  to  change  it  to  Mount  Adams. 
[I  venerate  the  name  of  Adams,  but  I  must  prolest  a^Minst  the  heathen- 
like practice  of  destroying  the  old  names  of  places.  The  interior  of  New 
York  deserves  to  be  chastised  by  an  earthquake  for  such  libellous  con- 
duct.—E.D.] 


■'■k 

i 


i. 


MRS.  RQWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


45 


it  ?  "  The 
word,  that  I 
hath  showed 
I  require  of 
hhj  with  thy 

Miiovc  with 
I  our  knees, 
'hi  it  would 
hat  I  reeled 
lays  at  last, 
dilliculties. 
long-,  but  in 

truth  and 
'loit  passeth 
the  rivers, 
put  on  my 
1  my  eyes, 
.  got  up  to 

an  Indian 

0  my  mas- 
>  the  sasfa- 
3  would  be 
^ady.  My 
ik  or  go  in 
V  streno-th 
knees  and 

mile  that 

Tie  a  com- 

My  heart 

len,  at  the 

1  apparel, 
»'aists,  and 
near  there 
Christians 
mped  my 

>ve  it  was 
:)ack  and 
ved  more 

me  of  Wa- 
nt Adams, 
e  heathen- 
or  of  New 
;llous  con- 


I 


% 


than  my  strength  ;  having  little  or  no  refreshment,  my  strength 
failed,  and  my  spirits  were  almost  quite  gone.  Now  may  I 
say  as  David,  Psiil.  109:  22,  23,  21, — "/«/«  poor  and  needij, 
and  my  heart  is  wounded  within  nie.  I  am  gone  lih-r  ashadoiv 
when  it  dcelineth.  lam  tossed  up  and  down  Hk<  e  locust. 
My  knees  are  iceak  through  fasting,  and  viy  flesh  failvth  of  fat- 
nessy  At  night  we  canie  to  an  Indian  town,  and  the  Indians 
sat  down  by  a  wigwam  discoursing,  but  I  was  uhiiost  spent 
and  couhl  scarce  speak.  I  laid  down  my  load  and  went  into 
the  wigwam,  and  there  sat  an  Indian  boiling  of  horse-feet, 
they  being  wont  to  eat  the  flesh  first,  and  when  the  feel  were 
old  and  dried,  and  they  had  nothing  else,  they  would  cut  off 
the  feet  and  use  them.  I  asked  him  to  yive  me  a  little  of  his 
broth,  or  water  they  were  boiling  it  in.  f^u  look  a  dish  and 
gave  me  one  spooiiful  of  samp,  and  bid  me  take  as  much  of 
the  broth  as  I  would.  Then  I  put  some  of  the  hot  water  to 
the  samp,  and  drank  it  up,  and  my  spirits  came  again.  He 
gave  me  also  a  piece  of  the  rufl'e,  or  ridding  of  the  small  guts, 
and  I  broiled  it  on  the  coals ;  and  now  I  may  say  with  Jona- 
than, "See,  I  pray  you,  Jnw  mine  eyes  are  enlightened  because 
I  tasted  a  little  of  this  hoary. ^' — 1  Sam.  14:  20.  Now  is  my 
spirit  revived  airain.  Though  means  be  nevt^r  so  inconside- 
rable, yet  if  ihe  Lord  bestow  his  blessing  upon  ihem,  they  shall 
refresh  both  soul  and  body. 

The  Eighteenth  Remove. — We  took  up  our  packs,  and 
along  Avo  went ;  but  a  wearisome  day  I  had  of  it.  As  we 
w'ent  alonof,  I  saw  an  Englishman  stripped  naked  and  lying 
dead  upon  the  nround,  but  knew  not  who  he  was.  Then  we 
came  to  another  Indian  town,  where  we  staid  all  night.  In 
this  town  there  were  four  En<ilisli  chiklreri  captives,  and  one 
of  them  my  own  sister's.  I  went  to  see  hpw  she  did,  and  she 
Avas  well,  consitli'riutif  her  captive  condition.  I  would  have 
tarried  that  niirlit  with  her,  hut  they  that  owned  her  would  not 
suffer  it.  Then  I  went  to  another  wi^-wam,  where  they  were 
boiling  corn  and  beans,  which  was  a  lovcdy  siirht  to  see,  but  I 
could  not  get  a  taste  thereof.  Then  I  went  into  another  wig- 
wam, where  there  were  two  of  the  English  chihlren.  The 
squaw  was  boilinof  horses'  feet.  She  cut  me  otl"  a  little  piece, 
and  gave  one  of  the  Eni>lisli  children  a  jjiece  also.  Being 
very  hungry,  I  had  quickly  eat  up  mine  ;  but  the  child  could 
not  bite  it,  it  was  so  touirh  and  sinewy,  and  lay  sucking,  gnaw- 
ing, and  slabbering  of  it  in  the  mouih  and  hand;  then  I  took 
it  of  the  child,  and  eat  it  myself,  and  savory  it  was  to  my  taste: 
that  I  may  say  as  Jol),  chap.  6 :  7, — "  The  things  that  my  soul 
refuseth  to  touch  are  as  viy  sorrowful  meat.''  Thus  the  Lord 
made  that  pleasant  and  refreshing  which  another  time  would 


f 


46 


MRS.  ROWLANDSOX  S   CAPTIVITY. 


w 


have  boon  an  aboiniiiatioii.  Thon  I  went  hoir'^  to  my  mis- 
tre.s.s'  \viii,\vain,  and  they  told  me  I  dis<rrai'od  r.  :  master  witli 
beg'iriiinr,  and  il  1  did  so  any  more  they  won  hi  knock  me  on 
the  iiead.  1  told  ihem  they  l)ad  as  good  do  that  as  starve  mc 
to  death. 

TiiK  NiNKTKK.NTH  TvKMnvK. — Tliey  said  wlien  avo  went  ont 
that  we  nuist  travel  to  W'aehnset  this  day.  lint  a  hitter  weary 
day  I  had  of  it,  travelling  now  three  days  together,  without 
restin<r  any  day  between.  At  last,  after  many  weary  steps,  I 
saw  VV'acluiset  hills,  bnl  many  miles  oil".  Then  we  came  to  a 
great  swamp,  through  which  we  travelK'd  u\)  to  our  knees  in 
nnid  and  \vat(>r,  which  was  heavy  going  to  one  tired  before. 
Being  almost  spent,  I  thought  1  should  have  sunk  down  at 
last,  and  never  got  out;  l)nt  1  nuiy  say  as  in  l^salm  91:  18, — 
^^Wkc?i  mi/  foot  slipped,  tkij  inercij^  O  Lord,  held  vie  i/p.^* 
Going  along,  liaviu'j;  indeed  my  life,  but  little  s])irit,  Philip, 
who  was  in  the  companv,  came  up,  and  look  mo  liy  the  hand, 
and  said,  "  Two  weeks  nmre  and  you  shall  be  mistress  again." 
I  asked  him  i^  he  spoke  true.  He  said,  "  Yes,  aiul  (piickly 
you  shall  come  to  your  master  again  ;"  who  hail  been  gone 
from  us  three  weeks.  After  many  weary  steps,  we  came  to 
Wachuset,  Avhere  he  Avas,  and  glad  Avas  1  to  see  him.  He 
asked  me  when  I  Avashed  mo.  1  told  him  not  this  month. 
Then  he  iV'tched  me  some  water  himself,  and  hid  mo  wash, 
and  gave  me  a  glass  to  see  how  1  looked,  and  bid  hi.s  sipiaw 
give  me  something  to  eat.  So  she  gave  me  a  nu>ss  of  beans 
and  meat,  and  a  little  ground-nut  caKo.  I  was  wonderfully 
revived  Avilii  this  favor  showed  mo.  Psalm  106:  4(5, — "i/e 
7)iade  f/ic/n  also  to  he  pitied  of  all  those  tliat  carried  them  away 
captive.'''' 

My  master  had  throe  squaAVS,  living  sometimes  Avith  one 
and  sometimes  Avith  another:  Onux,  this  old  scpiaw  at  whose 
AA'igAvam  1  Avas,  and  Avilh  Avhom  my  master  had  been  those 
three  Avooks.  Another  was  Wettimoro,^^  Avith  Avhom  I  had 
lived  and  served  all  this  while.  A  severe  and  proud  dame 
she  was,  bestowini^-  every  day  in  dres'tsing  herself  near  as  nuu:li 
time  as  any  of  the  gentry  of  the  land  ;  powdering  her  hair  and 
painting  her  face,  going  \\  ith  her  necklaces,  with  joAvols  in  her 
ears,  and  bracelets  u]-)on  her  hands.  When  she  had  dressed 
herself,  her  work-  was  to  make  girdles  of  wampum  and  beads. 
The  third  s(pia\v  Avas  a  younger  one,  by  whom  he  had  two 
papooses.  By  that  time  I  was  refreshed  Ijy  the  old  squaAV, 
Wettimore's   maid  came  to  call  me   home,  at  Avhich    I   i'ell  a 

*  She  hnd  boon  tlic  wife  of  Alexander,  Philip's  elder  brother,  See 
Book  of  thi:  Indians. 


MRS.  KOWLANDSOX'S  CAPTIVtTV 


47 


3  iny  mis- 

iaj>ter  ^vith 

jck  me  on 

starve  mc 

:>  went  out 
itter  weary 
:'V,  williout 
iry  steps,  I 
■  came  to  a 
ir  knees  in 
red  before. 
ik   down  at 
1  91:  18  — 
d   VIC    up." 
irit,  Piiilip, 
y  the  hand, 
•ess  aii'ain." 
nd  (juickly 
l)een   g'one 
\e  came  to 
him.     He 
lis    month. 
[l  me  wash, 
ii,s  squaw 
s  of  heans 
onderl'ully 
46,—"  He 
them  away 

with  one 
■  at  whose 
)een  these 
lom    I  had 

ud  dame 
ir  iis  much 
or  hair  and 
wels  in  her 
ul  dressed 
'A\n\  beads, 
had  two 
nld  squaw, 
h    1   fell  a 

)rother,     See 


weepina".  Tiien  the  old  s(|naw  told  mf.  to  (Micnurna'e  me,  that 
when  1  wanted  vicHiiils  I  should  come  to  her,  and  thai  I  should 
lie  in  her  wii^uani.  Then  1  weiU  with  tlie  maid,  and  (juickly 
I  came  back  and  lodqcd  there.  The  s(|u;i\v  laid  a  mat  under 
me,  and  a  yood  rug  over  me  ;  the  fust  tinif  th;it  I  had  any  siu'h 
kindness  showed  me.  I  understood  that  W'ettimorc  thounht, 
that  if  she  should  let  mo  cjo  and  serve  with  the  oM  squaw,  she 
should  he  in  danger  to  lose  not  only  my  service,  but  the  re- 
demption-pay also.  And  I  was  not  a  little  glad  to  hear  this  ; 
■  being  i)y  it  raisi'd  in  my  hopes  that  in  (Jod's  due  time  there 
%  would  be  an  end  of  this  sorrowful  hour.      Th(Mi  came  an  Indian 

and  asked  me  to  knit  him  three  pair  of  stoclvinirs,  for  which  I 
had  a  hat  and  a  silk  hantlU(>rchief.  Then  another  asked  me 
to  make  her  a  sb.ift,  for  \vhich  she  gave  me  an  apron. 

Then  camo  Tom  and  Peter  with  the  second  letter  from  the 

council,  about  the  captives.      Though  they  were  Indians,  I  gat 

them  by  the  haiul,  and  burst  out   into  tears;  my  heart  was  so 

full  that  1  could  not  speak   to  them  ;   bnt  recovering  myself,  I 

asked   them   how   my  husband   did,  and   all   my   friends  and 

acquaintance.      They  said  they  were  well,  but  very  melancholy. 

...  They  brouLrht  me  two  biscuits  and  a  pound  of  tobacco.     The 

;  tobacco  I  soon  gave  away.      When   it  was  all   gone  one  asked 

r  me  to  give  him  a  pipe  of  tobacco.      I  told  him  it  was  all  gone. 

I  Then   he  began   to   rant   and   threaten.      I  told   him  when  my 

husband  cam!>  I  would  give  hini  some.     "  Hang  him,  rogue," 

says  he  ;  "  1  will  knoi-k  out  his  i)rains  if  he  comes  here."    And 

f  then   again    at   the   same   breath   they  wonld  say  that  if  there 

^  should  come  an  hundred  without  guns  they  would  do  them  no 

I  hurt  ;   so  un-^ialjle  and  like  madmen  they  were.      So  that  fear- 

I  ing  the  worst,  I   durst  imt   send  to  my  husband,  though  there 

^  were  some  thoughts  of  his  coming  to  redeem  ami  fetch  me,  not 

I         knowing  what  miu'ht  follow;  for  there  was   little  more  trust  to 

them   than   to   the   master   they  served.     AVhen  the  letter  was 

come,  the    sanamores   met   to   consult   about   the  captives,  and 

called  me  to  them,  to   inquire  how    mui'h   my  husband  would 

give  to  redeem   me.      When  I  came  I  sat  down  among  them, 

as   I  was  wont   to  do,  as   their  manner  is.      Then  they  bid  mc 

stand  up,  and  said  they  were  the  general  court.     They  bid  me 

speak  what   I  thouirht  he  wouKl  give.      Now  knowing  that  all 

that  wo   had  was  destroyed   by  the   Indians,  I  was   in   a   great 

strait.     I  thought  if  I  should  speak  of  but  a  little,  it  would  be 

slighted  and  hinder  the  matter;   if  of  a  great  sum,  I  knew  not 

where   it  would   be   procured  ;  yet  at  a  venture  I  said  twenty 

pounds,  yet  desired  them  to  take  less  ;  but  they  would  not  hear 

of  that,  but  sent  the  message  to  Boston,  that  for  twenty  pounds 

I  should  be  redeemed.     It  was  a  praying   Indian  that  wrote 


4S 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


their  letters  fnr  thorn.*  There  was  anotlior  prayincf  Indian, 
who  tokl  tne  that  he  had  a  brother  that  won  hi  not  cat  horse, 
his  conscience  was  so  tender  and  scrnpnions,  tliou£'h  as  large 
as  hell  for  llie  destruction  of  poor  Christians.  'J'licn  he  said 
he  read  tiiat  scripture  to  him.  12  Kinrrs  (> :  2-'), — "  There  ira.s  a 
famine  in  Samaria,  and  behold  they  besieged,  it,  until  an  ass's 
head  was  sold  for  fourscore  pieces  of  silrer,  a /id  tlie  fovrth  part 
of  a.  hah  of  dove's  diDii^  for  fire  pieces  of  silrer.^^  lie  expound- 
ed this  phice  to  his  hroilicr,  and  sjiowed  iiini  that  it  was  lawful 
to  eat  that  in  a  famine  which  it  is  not  at  another  lime.  "And 
now,"  says  he,  "he  will  eat  horse  with  any  Indian  of  them 
all."  There  was  another  praying  Indian,!  who,  when  he  had 
done  all  the  mischief  that  he  could,  betrayed  his  own  father 
into  the  English's  hands,  thereby  to  purchase  his  own  life. 
Another  praying  Indian  was  at  Sudbury  fight,  though,  as  he 
deserved,  he  was  afterwards  hanged  for  it.  There  was  another 
praying  Indian  so  wicked  and  cruel  as  to  wear  a  string  about 
his  neck  strung  with  Christian  fingers.  Another  praying  In- 
dian, when  they  went  to  Sudbury  fight,  went  wldi  them,  and 
his  squaw  also  with  him,  with  her  papoos  at  her  back.t  Be- 
fore they  went  to  that  fight,  they  got  a  company  together  to 
powow.      The  manner  was  as  followeth. 

There  was  one  that  kneeled  upon  a  deer-skin,  with  the  com- 
pany around  him  in  a  ring,  who  kneeled,  striking  npon  the 
ground  with  tlieir  hands  and  with  sticks,  and  muttering  or 
humming  with  their  mouths.  Besides  him  who  kneeled  in 
the  ring  there  also  stood  one  with  a  gun  in  his  hand.  Then 
he  on  the  deer-skin  made  a  speech,  and  all  manifested  assent 
to  it ;  and  so  they  did  many  times  together.  Then  they  bid 
him  with  a  gun  go  out  of  the  ring,  which  he  did  ;  but  when 
he  was  out,  they  called  him  in  again  ;  but  he  seemed  to  make 
a  stand.  Then  they  called  the  more  earnestly,  till  he  turned 
again.  Then  they  all  sang.  Then  they  gave  him  two  guns, 
in  each  hand  one.  And  so  he  on  the  d(^er-sl<iii  began  again; 
and  at  the  end  of  everj^  sentence  in  his  spi^aking  they  all 
assented,  and  humming  or  muttering  with  their  mouths,  and 
striking  npon  the  ground  with  their  hands.  Then  they  bid 
him  with  the  two  guns  go  out  of  the  ring  again  ;  which  he  did 

*  They  may  be  seen  in  the  Book  of  the  Indians. 
t  Peter  Jethro. — Ihib. 


JMcre 


:j:*rhese  remarks  of  ]\Trs.  Rowlandson  are  no  doubt  just.  The  prayin 
Indians,  after  all.  take  iliem  as  a  class,  made  biU  .sorry  Christians.  Moi 
comfortable  dweliinps,  a  few  blankets  every  year,  some  small  privileges, 
and  a  little  increase,  lor  the  time,  of  personal  consideration,  were  motives 
Fuflicienlly  strong  to  induce  savages  to  change  their  religious  faith,  which 
at  best  hung  but  very  loosely  about  them. 


MRS.  ROWLAXDSOX'S  rAPTIVITY. 


49 


yinc^  Indian, 
ot  cat  horse, 
ui'^li  as  large 
lien  he  said 
'liter e  was  a 
nt'd  an  ass's 
'fonrth  part 
[Ic  oxpoimd- 
t  was  lawful 
iine.  "And 
ian  of  them 
vhcn  he  had 
s  own  father 
is  own  life, 
lough,  as  he 
was  another 
strin":  about 
praying  In- 
h  them,  and 
back.  I  Be- 
'  together  to 

ith  the  com- 

ig  upon  the 

[Hittcring  OT 

kneeled   in 

and.     Then 

bsted  assent 

on  they  bid 

;  but  when 

ed  to  make 

1  lie  turned 

1  two  guns, 

gan  again ; 

ng  they  all 

nouths,  and 

■n   they  bid 

hich  he  did 


The  praying 
^tians.  More 
all  privileges, 
were  motives 
s  faith,  which 


n  little  way.  Then  they  caik-d  biiu  again,  but  he  made  a  stand, 
so  they  called  him  with  greater  earm'>iii(':<s  ;  Imt  he  stood 
reeling  and  wavrrjng,  a-  iC  1h>  knew  nut  wlu-ihcr  ho  should 
stand  or  full,  or  whidi  way  to  go.  Tiiou  llioy  called  him  wiili 
exceeding  great  vohemency,  nil  of  them,  one  and  another. 
After  a  little  while  ho  iudkmI  in.  staggering  as  he  went,  with 
his  arms  stroiclu>d  out,  in  each  hand  u  gun.  As  soon  as  he 
came  in,  thoy  all  sang  and  ropuced  exceedingly  a  while,  and 
then  he  upon  the  deer-sl<iu  made  another  speech,  imto  which 
they  all  assented  in  a  rejoicing  maniu-r;  and  so  they  ended 
their  business,  and  forthwith  went  to  Sudbury  tight.* 

To  my  thinking,  thov  went  without  any  scruple  but  that 
they  should  prosper  and  gain  the  victory.  And  they  went  out 
not  so  rejoicing,  but  they  came  home  with  as  great  a  victory  ; 
for  they  said  thoy  killed  two  captains  and  almost  an  hundred 
men.  One  Englishman  they  brought  alive  with  them,  and  he 
said  it  was  too  true,  for  they  had  made  sad  w^'-k  at  Sudbury  ; 
as  indeed  it  proved.  Yet  they  came  home  without  that  rejoic- 
ing and  triumphing  over  their  victory  which  they  were  wont 
to  show  at  other  times  ;  but  rrviiier  like  dogs,  as  they  say,  wtiich 
have  lost  their  cars.  Yet  I  could  not  perceive  that  it  was  for 
their  own  loss  of  men  ;  they  said  they  lost  not  above  live  or 
six;  and  I  missed  none,  except  in  one  wigwam.  When  they 
went  they  acted  as  if  the  devil  had  told  them  that  they  should 
gain  the  victory,  and  now  they  acted  as  if  the  devil  had  told 
them  they  should  have  a  full.  Whether  it  were  so  or  no,  I 
cannot  tell,  but  so  it  proved;  for  they  ([uickly  began  to  fall, 
and  so  held  on  that  summer,  till  they  came  to  utter  ruin.  They 
came  home  on  a  Sabbath  day,  and  the  pawaw  that  kneeled 
upon  the  deer-skin  came  home,  I  may  say  without  any  abuse, 
as  black  as  the  devil.  When  my  master  came  home  he  came 
to  me  and  bid  me  make  a  shirt  for  his  papoos,  of  a  Holland 
laced  pillowbeer. 

About  tliat  time  there  came  an  Indian  to  me,  and  bid  me 
come  to  liis  wigwam  at  night,  and  he  would  give  me  some  pork 
and  ground-nuts,  which  1  did  ;  and  as  I  was  eating,  another 
Indian  said  to  me,  "  He  seems  to  be  your  good  friend,  but  he 
killed  two  Englishmen  at  Sudbury,  and  there  lie  the  clothes 
behind  you."  I  loolccd  Ijoliind  me,  and  there  I  saw  bloody 
clothes,  w^ith  bullet-holes  in  them  ;  yet  the  Lord  suOered  not 
this  wretch  to  do  me  any  hurt,  yea,  instead  of  ihat,  he  many 
times  refreshed  me  :  five  or  six  times  did  he  and  his  squaw 
refresh  my  feeble  carcass.  If  I  went  to  their  wigwam  at  any 
time,  they  would  always  give  me  something,  and  yet  they  were 

*  Sudbury  was  attacked  21st  April. 
5 


I 


'!i 


(•      ! 


50 


MRS.  ROWLAXDSU.Nrf   CAinVlTY. 


straniTcrs  tlu.t  I  never  saw  lu^forf.  Another  sipiiiw  q;avG  me  a 
piece  (if  rre>h  p(»rlv.  ami  :\  linle  salt  wiili  it, and  lent  nu;  lier  frying^ 
pan  to  iVy  it  I  and  I  canntit  tint  renieniKerwhat  a  >\vei!l,  i)le;j>iint 
and  dLdi^lilful  r('i>h  that  bit  luid  to  \m\  to  this  day.  So  little 
do  we  prize  coiiniion  niereies,  wlien  W(;  have  them  to  the  lull. 

Till".  TwKNTiiyrn  IIi;;movh. — It  v.as  their  O'-ual  nianniT  to 
renuive  when  they  had  done  any  niischief,  lest  ihey  should  he 
found  out  ;  and  so  they  did  at  this  time.  We  went  about 
three  e-r  lour  miles,  arul  tlunc  they  buili  a  great  wiirwam,  big 
cnouirh  to  hold  an  hundred  Indians,  which  they  did  in  prepa- 
ration (i(a,iri\>at  day  of  daiicincr.  They  would  now  say  among 
tlienisidves  that  the  g'overnor*  would  be  so  angry  for  his  loss 
at  Sudbury  that  he  W(juld  send  no  more  about  the  captives, 
wiiich  made  mc  grieve  and  tremble,  I\Iy  sislert  being  not  fur 
from  this  place,  and  heaiiuLr  thai  1  was  here,  desired  her  mas- 
ter to  let  her  I'ome  and  see  me,  and  he  was  willing  to  it,  and 
would  come  with  her;  but  she,  being  ready  (irst,  told  him  she 
would  go  before,  and  was  come  within  a  mile  or  two  of  the 
place.  Then  he  overtook  her,  and  l)egan  to  rant  as  if  he  had 
been  mad,  and  made  lier  go  back  n<fain  in  the  rain  ;  so  that  I 
never  saw  Jier  till  I  saw  lier  in  Charlesiown.  But  the  Lord 
requited  many  of  their  ill  doings,  for  this  Indian,  her  master, 
was  hanged  afterwards  at  Boston. t-  They  began  now  to  come 
from  all  (|uarters,  against  their  merry  dancing  day.  Amongst 
some  of  ihein  came  one  gooilwife  Kettle.  1  told  her  my  heart 
was  so  heavy  that  it  Avas  ready  to  break.  "  So  is  mine  too," 
said  she,  "  but  yet  I  hope  we  shall  hear  some  good  nevrs  short- 
ly." I  could  hear  how  earnestly  my  sister  desired  to  see  me, 
and  I  enrnestly  desired  to  see  lier  ;  yet  tieilher  of  us  could  get 
an  oppcu'tunily.  ]\Iy  daughter  Avas  now  but  a  mile  olf,  and  I 
had  nut  seen  her  for  nine  or  ten  weeks,  as  I  had  not  scon  my 
sister  since  our  first  taking.  I  desired  them  to  let  me  go  and 
see  them,  yea  I  entreated,  b{\gL'ed  and  persuaded  tlunn  to  let 
me  see  my  daughter  ;  and  yet  so  hard-hearted  were  they  that 
they  would  not  sull'er  it.  They  made  use  of  their  tyrannical 
power  whilst  they  had  it,  but  through  the  Lord's  wonderful 
mercy  their  time  was  now  but  short. 

On  a  Sabbath  day,  the'  sun  being  about  an  hour  high  in  the 
afternoon,  came  Mr.  John  Hoar,  (the  council  jiermitting  him, 
and  his  own  forward  spirit  inclining  him,)  together  with  the 
two  forementioned  Intlians,  Tom  and  Peter,  with  Uie  thiid  let- 
ter from  the  council.     When  they   came  near,  I   Avas  abroad. 

*  Leverelt.  f  Mrs.  Drew. 

:j:  Mrs.   Drew'.s  master  was  probably  Monoco.     Several  chiefs  were 
hanged  at  the  same  time,  viz.  26lh  Sept.  167(3. 


~^i 


rrnve  me  a 

c  litT  frying 

3i;t,  jdi'ii^iiiit 

:.      So  little 

to  the  lull. 

I  nianiuT  tfi 

y  should  ho 

went   uhoul 

iirwaui,   hig 

i(J  ill  prcpa- 

■  say  among 

for  his   lods 

iie   caplivos, 

K'iiinr  iKit  fur 

cd  her  mas- 

y   to  it,   and 

old  him  she 

two   of  the 

is  if  he  had 

1  ;  so   that  I 

Lit  the    Lord 

her   nias-ter, 

low  to  come 

Amongst 

er  my  heart 

mine    too," 

iKMVs  short- 

l  to  !see  me, 

s  could  get 

oir,  and  I 

ot  seen  my 

me  go  and 

hem  to   let 

e   they  that 

tyrannical 

wonderful 

ligh  in  the 
iiliuL'"  him, 
with   the 
le  ihiid  let- 
as  abroad. 


chiefs  were 


MRS.  KOWLANDSON'S  CAmVlTV. 


r,i 


3 


Thnv  presently  <'alled  m"  in.  and  lnl  me  sit  down  ..'e'l  v.ol  stir. 
Thru  tliev  catched  up  their  iruns  and  away  they  ran,  as  if  an 
onemv  liad  heeii  at  hand,  and  tho  iru.is  went  oil"  apiH'e.  I 
manifested  some  trrejit  trouhle,  and  asked  them  wliai  was  the 
matter.  I  told  iheui  I  tliouLrht  they  had  Kilh'il  the  l')ii<rli^h- 
man,  (for  they  had  in  the  mean  time  told  me  iliai  an  Mnelish- 
man  was  come;)  they  said  no;  they  shot  ')ver  his  horse;,  and 
under,  and  helore  his  horse,  and  they  |iuslied  him  this  way 
and  that  way,  at  their  pleasure,  showing  him  what  they  could 
do.  Then  they  let  iiiin  come  to  their  wigwams.  1  hcLrged  of 
them  to  let  me  see  the  Emrlishman,  hui  they  would  not  ;  hut 
there  was  i  fain  to  sit  their  pleasure.  When  they  hud  talked 
their  fill  with  him.  tlu>y  sulfered  me  to  vo  to  him.  We  asked 
each  other  of  our  welfare,  and  how  my  hushand  did.  and  all 
rnv  friends.  Me  told  me  they  were  all  well,  mid  would  he  vUxd 
to'see  me.  Among  ether  things  which  my  hushand  sent  me, 
there  came  a  pound  of  tobacco,  which  I  sold  for  nine  shillings 
in  money;  tor  many  of  them  lor  want  of  tobacco  smoked 
hemlock  and  ground-ivy.  It  was  ji  great  mistake  in  any  who 
thought  I  sent  for  tobacco,  for  through  the  favor  of  (iod  that 
desire  was  overcome. 

I  now  asked  them  whether  J  should  l'^o  home  with  A[r. 
Hoar.  They  answered  no,  one  and  another  of  them,  and  it 
being  late,  we  lay  down  with  that  answer.  In  the  morning 
JMr.  Hoar  invit(>d  the  sagamores  to  dinner  ;  but  when  we  went 
to  jjet  it  ready,  we  found  th(>y  had  stolen  the  t^eatest  part  of 
the  provisions  Mr.  Hoar  had  broui'lit.  And  we  may  see  the 
wonderful  power  of  God,  in  tlial  one  jiassoge,  in  that  when 
there  was  such  a  number  of  them  together,  and  so  y-reedy  of 
a  little  p;ood  food,  and  no  English  tliere  l)ut  Mr,  Hoar  and 
myself,  that  there  they  did  not  knock  us  on  the  head  and  take 
what  we  had;  there  being  not  only  some  provision,  but  abo 
trading  cloth,  a  part  of  tln^  twenty  pounds  agreed  upon.  P.ut 
instead  of  doinof  us  any  mischi'  '",  they  seemed  to  be  ashamed 
of  the  flict,  and  said  it  was  the  nintchii^  Indians  that  did  it. 
Oh  that  we  could  believe  that  there  was  iiothino-  too  bard  for 
God.  God  showed  Jiis  power  over  the  h(>athen  in  this,  as  he 
did  over  the  hungry  lions  when   Daniel  was  cast  inlf>  the  den. 

JMr.  Hoar  called  them  botiine  to  tlinner,  but  they  ate  but  little, 
they  being  so  busy  in  dressing  themselves  and  getting  ready  for 
their  dance ;  which  was  carried  on  by  eight  of  them,  four  men  and 
four  squaws,  my  master  and  mistress  being  tvro.  He  was  dres- 
sed in  his  Holland  shirt,  with  great  stockinirs,  his  garters  bunir 
round  with  shillings,  aiKi   had   girdles   of  wampom    upon   liis 

*  Wicked. 


Il 


52 


MRS.  UOWLANDSON'S   CAPTIVITY. 


hend  find  slioulflrrs.      Sho  lind  ii  kprsoy  coat,  rovcrod  with  Lnr- 
(lies  (il  \viiiii|t(iiij  iVoui  the  hiiiis  upwnrd.      Her  {iriiis    fioiii  her 


t'lhows  to  litT  lumds  wiTc  cnvfrcd  witli  lir!ic('lcl> 


11 


KTl.'     WITO 


huiidl'iils  «»r  iii'ckliu'cs  aiimit  In  r  iK-ck,  snid  several  sorts  of 
jewels  ill  her  ears.  She  had  line  red  '  inckinvs,  and  wliito 
shoes,  iier  hair  prtwdcred,  and  her  laoe  pninied  red.  thai  vas 
always  heloro  Mark.  And  all  the  dancers  were  alter  the 
same  manner.  There  were  two  others  sinL;inuf  and  kn(i(dvinfjf 
on  a  licUtle  lor  their  mnsic.  They  K(?pt  hoppiiiL'^  up  and  down 
one  after  another,  with  a  kettle  of  water  in  the  midst,  stiind- 
iiiy  warm  upon  some  einhers,  to  drink  of  when  they  were  dry. 
They  held  (III  till  almo.  t  iiiLfhl,  tlirowin.',*-  out  their  wampom  to 
tlie  standei>-hy.  At  nijlil  I  asked  them  auain  if  I  should  '^o 
home.  They  jill  as  one  said  no,  except  my  hnshaiid  would 
come  for  me.  When  wv  were  lain  down,  u'V  ina-ter  went  out 
of  llu'  wiL5\\'am,  and  hy  and  hy  sent  in  an  ln<lian  called  Jmncs 
ihc priutir^  who  told  i\Ir.  Hear  that  mv  master  would  let  mo 
afo  homo  to-morrow  if  he  \\(iuld  let  him  ha\e  one  pint  of 
li(pnn'.  Then  Mr.  Hoar  called  his  own  Iii(li;ins,  Tom  and  Pe- 
ter, and  l)id  the  in  all  jjo  and  see  if  li(>  would  jiromise  it  heforo 
them  three,  and  if  he  would  he  should  have  it  ;  which  he  did 
and  had  it.  Philip,  smellinir  the  husiness,  callev'  me  to  him, 
and  asked  ine  wliat  I  would  oive  him  to  t(dl  me  some  jTood 
news,  and  to  sjieak  a  i':ood  word  for  ine,  tluit  I  niirfht  lio  home 
to-morrow.  1  told  him  1  could  not  tell  what  to  ijive  him,  I 
\vould  any  thine;'  I  had,  and  asked  him  what  he  \\ould  liavo. 
He  said  two  coats,  and  twenty  shillincfs  in  money,  liall'  a  hushol 
of  seed  corn,  and  some  tohacco.  I  ihanlccd  him  for  his  h)ve, 
but  I  knew  that  (.'.ood  news  as  \vcll  as  that  crafty  fox. 

My  master,  after  he  had  his  drink,  (juickly  came  ranting 
into  the  wigwam  again,  and  called  for  Mr.  Hoar,  drinking  to 
him  and  saying  he  was  a  good  man,  and  then  again  lie  would 
say,  "hang  him,  a  rogue."  In'ing  almost  drunk,  he  would 
drink  to  him,  and  yet  jireseiuly  say  he  should  be  lianged. 
Then  he  called  for  me.  1  trembled  to  hear  liim,  and  yet  I  was 
fain  to  go  to  him  ;  and  he  drank  to  me,  show'ing  no  incivility. 
He  was  the  first  Indian  1  saAV  drunk,  all  the  time  I  was  among 
them.  At  last  his  squaw  ran  out,  mid  he  after  her  round  the 
wigwam,  with  his  money  jingling  at  his  knees,  but  she  es- 
caped him  ;  but  having  and  old  squaw%  he  ran  to  lier,  and  so 
through  the  Lord's  mercy  we  were  no  more  troubled  with  him 
that  niglit.  Yet  I  liad  not  a  comlbrtable  night's  rest  ;  lor  I 
think  I  can  say  I  did  not  sleep  for  three  nights  together.  The 
night  before  the  letter  came  from  the  council,  I  could  not  rest, 
I  was  so  full  of  fears  and  troubles;  yea,  at  this  time  I  could 
not  rest  night  nor  day.     The  next  night  I  was  overjoyed,  Mr. 


a 


MRS.  noWLANOSONS  CAPTIVITY 


53 


(1  with  n-ir- 
;  IVoiii  licr 
Iktc  were 
il  sorts  of 
iiiid  wliiic 

I.   lllill    \'ilS 

;il'i<'r  I  Ik.' 
kiiockiiin' 

Jllul   (IdWIl 

(1st,  stiiiid- 

wt-rc  dry. 

■iiiiipotii  to 

should  '•() 

lul    would 

rwout  oui 

lied  Jmncs 

lid  let   irip 

10   pint   of 

in  iind  I'c- 

e  it  before 

ich  he  did 

no  to  jiini, 

pnio   jjood 

t  go  homo 

ve  him,  I 

old    havo. 

I  il  hushoj 

r  hi.s  hjve, 

0  ranting; 
rinkitii^-  to 

10  would 
10    would 

iiann-ed. 
yot  I  was 

icivility. 
!is  among 
•ound  the 

she  es- 
r.  and  so 
with  him 
St  ;  for  I 
■r.     The 

not  rest, 

I  could 
yed,  Mr. 


1 


i 


Hoar  hcinp  conio,  and  that  with  sindi  i':o<hI  iiilini;s,  The  third 
n\<ii}\\  I  was  pvon  swallowed  up  with  ihr  tliouijhis  of  i/oinir 
home  aijaiii,  and  that  I  must  joavo  my  chihlr.n  lnhind  uic  in 
tho  wildornoss  ;  so  that  sloop  was  now  alnii>si  doparU'd  JKim 
inino  oyos. 

On  Tiiosday  morniniT  il'oy  called  thoir  (Inifrnl  Court,  as 
they  .vtylod  it,  to  consult  and  dctcnnino  wlidhor  1  should  'jfo 
homo  or  no.  And  they  all  sccniineiy  oonsonliil  that  I  should 
go,  oxi'cpt  Philip,  who  would  mil  come  aiuonsf  thoni. 

lint  hefor*;  1  'jo  any  farther,  I  would  taki;  lotivo  to  inontion 
a  few  remarkahlo  jiassau^os  of  Providence,  which  I  took  spe- 
cial notice  of  in  my  alllictod  time. 

1.  Of  tlu>  fair  oppiu'tunity  lost  in  tho  long  inarcli,  a  little 
alter  tho  fort  lie"ht,  when  uitr  English  army  was  so  numerous, 
and  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and  so  near  as  to  overtake  seve- 
ral and  destroy  them  ;  and  the  enemy  in  such  distress  for 
food  that  our  men  luitrhl  Iraclc  them  hy  tluMr  rooting  the 
ground  tor  ground-nuts,  whilst  they  wore  fiyine-  for  their  livi's  : 
i  say,  that  then  our  army  shouhl  want  provisions,  and  he 
obliged  to  leave  their  pursuit,  and  turn  hommvard,  and  the  very 
next  wook  the  enemy  came  upon  our  town,  like  hours  bereft  of 
thoir  whelps,  or  so  many  ravenous  wolves,  rcMidiny"  us  and  f)ur 
lambs  to  death.  Tut  what  shall  I  say  i  Cod  soomod  to 
leave  his  people  to  themselves,  and  ordered  all  things  for  his 
own  holy  ends.  "  Shall  there  he.  evil  in.  the  city  and  Ike  Lord 
hath  not  done  it  ?  The  if  arc  not  ^rierrd  for  tho  alJUct'ion  of 
Joseph,  therefore  they  shall  go  captive  trilh  the  first  that  go 
captive.  It  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  should  be  marvellous  in 
our  eyes.'' 

2.  I  cannot  hut  remember  liow  tho  Indians  derided  tho  slow- 
ness and  the  dulness  of  the  Enulish  army  in  its  setting  out  ; 
for  afior  the  desolations  at  Lancaster  and  Medtield,  as  1  wont 
along  with  them,  they  asked  me  wheti  I  thought  the  English 
army  would  come  after  tlioin.  I  told  them  I  could  not  toll. 
"  It  may  be  they  will  come  in  May,"  said  lh(.'y.  Thus  they 
did  scotf  at  us,  as  if  the  English  would  be  a  quarter  of  a 
year  getting  ready. 

3.  Which  also  I  have  hinted  before,  when  the  English  army 
with  new  supplies  were  sent  forth  to  pursu(>  after  tlie  enemy, 
and  they,  understanding  it,  diul  before  them  till  they  came  to 
Baquaug  rivor,  where  they  forthwith  went  over  safely  ;  that 
the  river  should  be  impassable  to  the  English.  I  cannot  but 
admire  to  see  the  wonderful  providence  of  (rod  in  preserving 
the  heathen  for  further  adliction  to  our  poor  country.  They 
could  go  in  great  numbers  over,  but  the  English  must  stop. 
God  had  an  overruling  hand  in  all  those  things. 

5* 


i 


'  t 


|1 


54 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


4.  It  was  thoufj-hi,  if  their  corn  were  cut  down,  they  would 
starA'o  and  die  wilii  huiii^er  ;  and  all  that  could  l)e  I'oiuid  was 
destroyed,  and  they  driven  Iroui  that  little  they  had  in  store 
into  th(^  v/oods,  in  the  midst  of  winter  ;  and  yet  how  to  admi- 
ration did  the  Lord  preserve  them  for  his  holy  ends,  and  the 
destruction  of  many  still  among"  the  English  !  Strangely  did 
the  Lord  provide  for  them,  that  I  did  not  see,  all  the  tune  I 
was  among  them,  one  man,  woman,  or  child  die  with  hunger. 
Though  many  times  (hey  would  eat  that  that  a  hog  would 
hardly  touch,  ye*  hy  that  God  strengthened  them  to  be  a 
scourge  to  his  people. 

Their  chief  and  commonest  food  was  ground-nuts  ;  they  eat 
also  nuts  and  acorns,  artichokes,  lilly  roots,  ground  heans,  and 
several  ot?ier  weeds  and  roots  that  1  know  not.  They  would 
pick  up  old  bones,  and  cut  them  in  pieces  at  the  joints,  and  if 
they  were  full  of  worms  and  maggots  they  would  scald  them 
over  the  fire,  to  make  the  vermin  come  out,  and  then  boil 
them,  and  drink  up  the  liquor,  and  then  beat  the  great  ends  of 
them  m  a  mortar,  and  so  eat  them.  They  would  eat  horses' 
guts  ar  I  ears,  and  all  sorts  of  wild  birds  which  they  could 
catch  ;  also  bear,  venison,  beavers,  tortoise,  frogs,  squirrels, 
dogs,  skuidvs,  rattle-snakes,  yea  the  very  bark  of  trees  ;  be- 
sides all  sorts  of  creatures,  and  provisions  which  they  plun- 
d(  red  from  the  English.  I  can  but  stand  in  admiration  to  see 
the  wonderful  power  of  God,  in  providing  for  such  a  vast 
number  of  our  enemies  in  the  wilderness,  where  there  was 
nothing  *o  be  seen  but  from  hand  to  mouth.  Many  times  in 
the  morning  ihe  generality  of  them  would  eat  up  all  they  had, 
and  y3t  have  some  farther  supply  against  they  wanted.  But 
now  our  perves-.;:  and  evil  carriages  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord 
have  so  offended  him,  that  instead  of  turning  his  hand  against 
them,  the  Lord  feeds  and  nourishes  them  up  to  be  a  scourge 
to  the  whole  land. 

5.  Another  thing  that  I  would  obser\e  is,  the  strange  provi- 
dence of  God  in  turning  things  about  when  the  Indians  were 
at  the  highest  and  the  English  at  the  lowest.  I  was  with  the 
enemy  eleven  weeks  and  five  days,"^  and  not  one  week  passed 
without  their  fury  and  some  desolation  by  fire  or  sword  upon 
one  place  or  other.  Tiiey  mourned  for  their  own  losses,  yet 
triumphed  and  rejoiced  in  their  inhuman  and  devilish  cruelty 
to  the  English.  They  would  boast  much  of  thei'  victories, 
saying  that  in  two  hours'  time  they  had  destroyed  .juch  a  cap- 
tain and  his  company,  in  such  a  place  ;  and  boast  how  many 
towns  they  had  destroyed,  and  then  scoff  and  say  they  had  done 

*  Viz.  from  Feb.  10  to  May  2d  or  3d. 


If 


y  would 
mul    was 

in  store 
to  adiui- 

aiid  the 
i^c'ly  did 
le  time  I 

hunger. 
>g  would 

to  be  a 

they  eat 
?ans,  and 
ey  would 
ts,  and  if 
aid  them 
then  boil 
it  ends  of 
t  horses' 
ey  could 
squirrels, 
rees ;  be- 
ley  plun- 
on  to  see 
li  a  vast 
lero  was 
times  in 
hey  had, 
^d.  But 
:he  Lord 
d  against 
?courge 

ge  provi- 
ans  were 
with  the 
k  passed 
ord  upon 
tsses,  yet 
1  cruelty 
victories, 
h  a  cap- 
)W  many 
lad  done 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


55 


them  a  good  turn  to  send  them  to  heaven  so  soon.  Again  they 
woulil  say  this  summer  tliey  woiikl  knock  all  the  rogues  on 
the  head,  or  drive  them  into  the  sea,  or  make  them  tly  the 
country  ;  thinking  surely,  Agag-like,  "T/^r  hitlerncss  of  death 
is  passed.'"  Now  the  heathen  bcnin  to  think  all  is  their  own  ; 
and  the  poor  Christians'  hopes  fail,  (as  to  man,)  and  now  their 
eyes  are  more  to  God,  and  their  hearts  sigh  heaven-ward,  and 
they  say  in  good  earnest,  "  Hflp,  Lord,  or  we  perish.'"  When 
the  Lord  had  brought  his  people  to  this,  that  they  saw  no  help 
in  any  thing  but  himself,  then  he  takes  the  quarrel  into  his 
own  hand ;  and  though  they  made  a  pit  as  deep  as  hell  for 
the  Christians  that  summer,  yet  the  Lord  hurled  themselves 
into  it.  And  the  Lord  had  not  so  many  ways  before  to  pre- 
serve them,  but  nov/  he  hath  as  many  to  destroy  them. 

But  to  return  again  to  my  going  home  ;  where  we  may  see 
a  remarkable  change  of  providence.  At  first  they  were  all 
against  it,  except  my  husband  would  come  for  me  ;  but  after- 
ward they  assented  to  it,  and  seeming  to  rejoice  in  it ;  some 
asking  me  to  send  them  some  bread,  others  some  tobacco,  oth- 
ers shaking  me  by  the  hand,  offering  me  a  hood  and  scarf  to 
ride  in  :  not  one  moving  hand  or  tongue  against  it.  Thus' 
hath  the  Lord  answered  my  poor  desires,  and  the  many  ear- 
nest requests  of  others  put  up  unto  God  for  me.  In  my  travels 
an  Indian  came  to  me,  and  told  me  if  I  were  willing  he  and  his 
squaw  would  run  away,  and  go  home  along  with  me.  I  told 
them  no,  I  was  not  willing  to  run  away,  but  desired  to  wait 
God's  time,  that  I  might  go  home  quietly  and  without  fear. 
And  now  God  hath  granted  me  my  desire.  O  the  wonderful 
power  of  God  that  I  have  seen,  and  the  experiences  that  I 
have  had  !  I  have  been  in  the  midst  of  those  roaring  lions 
and  savage  bears,  that  fearet  neither  God,  nor  man,  nor  the 
devil,  by  night  and  day,  alone  and  in  company,  sleeping  all 
sorts  together,  and  yet  not  one  of  them  over  olfered  the  least 
abuse  of  unchasiity  to  me  in  word  or  action  ;  though  some 
are  ready  to  say  I  speak  it  for  my  own  cretlit ;  but  I  spc^ik  it 
in  the  presence  of  God,  and  to  his  glory.  God's  power  is  as 
great  now  as  it  was  to  save  Daniel  in  the  lions'  den,  or  the 
three  children  in  th,-'  fiery  furnace.  Especially  that  I  should 
come  away  in  the  midst  of  so  many  hundreds  of  enemies,  und 
not  a  dog  move  his  tongue. 

So  I  took  my  leave  of  them,  and  in  coming  along  my  heart 
melted  into  tears  more  than  all  the  while  I  was  with  them, 
and  I  was  almost  swallowed  up  with  the  tho  lyiits  that  ever  I 
should  go  home  again.  About  the  sun's  going  down,  Mr. 
Hoar,  myself,  and  the  two  Indians,  came  to  Lancaster  ;  and  a 
solemn  sight  it  was  to  me.     There  had  I  lived  many  comfort- 


Ill 

i 


If 


hi 


m 


:l 


56 


MRS.  HOWLANDSON'S   CAPTIVITY. 


able  years  anionj^  my  relations  ami  lUMulihors,  and  now  not 
one  C'lirisliaii  to  l)e  seen,  or  one  house  lel't  standiiiL'".  Wo 
went  on  to  a  farm-house  that  was  yet  standiiiL'",  where  we  hiy 
all  night  ;  and  a  conilortahle  lodying  we  had,  thout^di  iKjthing 
but  straw  to  lie  on.  Th(.'  Lord  preserved  us  in  safety  that  nioht, 
raised  us  up  again  in  the  inornitig,  and  carried  us  nlonc;,  tliat 
before  noon  we  came  to  Concord.  Now  was  I  lull  ol'  joy,  and 
yet  not  without  sorrow  :  joy  to  see  such  a  lovely  sight,  so 
many  Christians  tog"ether,  and  some  ol"  them  my  neiirhhors. 
There  I  met  with  my  brother  and  In'other-in-law,'^  who  asked 
me  if  I  knew  where  his  wife  was.  Poor  heart  !  he  had  helped 
to  bury  her,  and  knew  it  not.  She,  being  shot  down  by  the 
house,  was  partly  burnt ;  so  that  those  who  were  at  Boston  at 
the  desolation  of  the  town  came  back  afterward  and  buried  the 
dead,  but  did  not  know  her.  Yet  I  was  not  without  sorrow, 
to  thiidv  how  many  were  looking  and  longing,  and  my  own 
children  among  the  rest,  t^  enjoy  that  deliverance  that  I  had 
now  received  ;  and  I  did  not  know  whether  ever  1  should  see 
them  again. 

Being  recruited  with  food  and  raiment,  we  went  to  Boston 
that  day,  where  I  met  with  my  dear  husbanci ;  but  the  thoughts 
of  our  dear  children,  one  being  dead,  and  tlie  other  we  could 
not  tell  where,  abated  our  comfort  in  each  o*  ler.  I  was  not 
before  so  nmch  hemmed  in  by  the  merciless  and  cruel  heathen, 
but  imw  as  much  with  pitiful,  tender-hearted,  and  compassion- 
ate Christians.  In  that  poor  and  beggarly  condition,  I  was 
received  in,  I  was  kindly  entertained  in  several  houses.  So 
much  love  I  received  from  several,  (many  of  whom  I  knew 
not,)  that  I  am  not  capable  to  declare  it.  But  the  Lord  IvMiows 
them  -JA  by  name  ;  the  Lord  reward  them  sevenfold  into  th(,'ir 
bosoms  of  his  sj)irituals  for  their  temporals.  The  twenty 
pounds,  the  price  of  my  redemption,  was  raised  by  some  Bos- 
ton gentlewomen,  and  Mr.  Usher,  [He/ekiah  ?1  whose  bounty 
and  charity  I  would  not  forget  to  make  mention  f>f.  Then 
Mr.  Thomas  Shepard,  of  Charlestown,  received  us  into  his 
house,  where  we  continued  eleven  weeks  ;  and  a  father  and 
mother  they  were  unto  us.  And  many  more  tender-hearted 
friends  Vv'e  met  with  in  that  place.  We  were  now  in  the 
midst  of  love,  yet  not  without  much  and  fretpient  heav;ness  of 
heart  for  our  poor  children  and  other  relations  who  were  still 
in  adliction. 

The  week  following,  after  my  coming  in,  the  jjovernor  and 
council  sent  to  the  Indians  again,  anc'  tluU  not  without  success; 
for  they  brought  in  my  sister  and  goodwife  Kettle.     Their  not 

Capt.  Kerley. 


kr 

an 
T 

w 
w 

it 

CI 

.so 

WJ 


low   not 

i,£r.     Wg 
'  wo  lay 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S   CArXIVIT 


57 


knowing:  where  our  children  were  was  a  sore  trial  to  us  still  ; 
and  yet  we  were  not  without  secret  hopes  of  seeinsf  them  ac:ain. 
That  which  was  dead  lay  heavier  upon  my  sj)irits  than  those 
which  were  alive  amono-  the  heathen  ;  thinkimjf  liow  it  suH'cred 
with  its  wounds,  and  I  was  not  able  to  relieve  it,  and  how 
it  was  buried  by  the  heathen  in  the  wilderness  from  amonn'  all 
Christians.  We  were  hurried  up  and  down  in  our  thoughts  ; 
sometime^  we  should  near  a  report  that  they  were  ^rone  this 
way  and  sometimes  that,  and  that  they  were  come  in  in  this 
place  or  that  ;  we  kept  inriuirinc;-  and  listening"  to  hear  con- 
cerninq-  them,  but  no  certain  news  as  yet.  About  this 
time  the  council  had  ordered  a  day  of  public  thanksLnving-, 
thouLfh  I  had  still  cause  of  mourning";  and  being  unsettled  in 
our  minds,  we  thoui^'ht  we  would  ride  eastward,  to  see  if  .ve 
could  hear  any  thing  concerning  our  children.  As  Ave  were 
ridiuLT  aloniif  beiween  Ipswich  and  Rowley,  we  met  with  Wil- 
liam Hubbard,  who  told  us  our  son  Joseph  and  my  sister's  son 
were  come  into  jMajor  Waldren's.  I  asked  him  how  he  knew 
it.  He  said  the  major  himself  told  him  so.  So  aloncf  we 
went  till  we  came  to  Newbury  ;  and  their  minister  being  ab- 
sent, they  desired  my  husl)and  to  preach  the  thanksgiving"  for 
them  ;  but  he  was  not  willing  to  stay  there  that  night,  but  he 
would  go  over  to  Salisbury,  to  hear  farther,  and  come  again  in 
the  morning,  which  he  did,  and  preached  there  that  day.  At 
night,  when  he  had  done,  one  came  and  told  him  that  his 
daughter  was  come  into  Providence.  Here  was  mercy  on 
both  hands.  Now  we  were  between  them,  the  one  on  the 
east,  and  the  other  on  the  west.  Our  son  being  nearest,  we 
went  to  him  first,  to  Portsmouth,  where  we  met  with  him,  and 
with  the  major  also  ;  who  told  us  he  had  done  what  he  could, 
but  could  not  redeem  him  under  seven  pounds,  Avhich  the  good 
people  thereabouts  were  pleased  to  pay.  The  Lord  reward  the 
major,  and  all  the  rest,  though  unknown  to  me,  for  their  labor 
of  love.  My  sister's  son  was  redeemed  for  four  pounds,  which 
the  council  gave  order  for  the  payment  of.  Having  now  re- 
ceived one  of  our  children,  we  hastened  toward  the  other. 
GoinsT  back  through  Newbury,  my  husband  preached  there  on 
the  Sabbath  day,  for  which  they  rewarded  him  manifold. 

On  Monday  we  came  to  Charlestown,  Avhere  Ave  heard 
that  the  governor  of  Rhode  Island  had  sent  over  lor  our  daugh- 
ter, to  take  care  of  her,  being  now  Avithin  his  jurisdiction; 
which  should  not  pass  Avithout  our  acknowledgrnents.  But 
she  being  nearer  Rehoboth  than  Rhode  Island,  Mr.  NeAvman 
went  over  and  took  care  of  her,  and  brought  her  to  his  oaati 
house.  And  tie  goodness  of  God  Avas  admirable  to  us  in  our 
Jow  estate,  in  that  he  raised  up  compassionate  friends  on  every 


58 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S   CAPTIVITY. 


'U 


I 


si  Ic,  whon  we  had  notliinij  to  roconipnnse  any  for  tlipir  love. 
The  Indians  wore  now  i^one  that  waV)  thai  it  was  apprehend- 
ed dani^n'rons  to  o-o  to  lier  ;  hnt  the  carls  wiiich  earrietl  provis- 
ion to  the  En^rlish  army,  heinir  C'narded,  hronrrht  her  witii 
them  to  Dorchester,  whi're  we  received  h(>r  saTf.  IJlessed  he 
the  Lord  for  it.  Her  coniina"  in  \vas  alter  this  manner:  she 
was  travelling-  one  day  with  tlie  Indians,  with  her  hasket  at 
her  hack  ;  the  company  of  Indians  were  cfot  hefore  her,  and 
gone  out  of  sight,  ail  except  one  p(pia\v.  She  followed  the 
scpiaw  till  night,  and  tlum  hoth  of  them  lay  down,  having 
nothing  over  them  hut  the  heavens,  nor  undcT  them  hut  the 
earth.  Thus  she  travelled  three  days  togetlu'r,  having  noth- 
ing to  eat  or  driidc  hut  water  and  green  hirtl  jerries.  At  last 
they  came  into  Providence,  where  she  was  knidlv  ent(M"tained 
hy  several  of  that  town.  Tlie  Indians  ofu-n  said  that  I  should 
never  have  her  under  twenty  pounds,  l)ut  now  the  Lord  hath 
brought  her  in  upon  free  cost,  and  given  her  to  me  the  second 
time.  The  Lord  make  us  a  hlessing  indeed  to  each  other. 
Thus  liaMi  the  Lortl  brought  me  and  mine  out  of  the  horrible 
pit,  and  hath  set  us  in  the  midst  of  lender-hearted  and  com- 
passionate Christians.  'T  is  the  desire  of  my  soul  that  wc 
may  walk  worthy  of  the  mercies  received  and   which   we  are 


receiving. 


Our  family  being  now  gathered  together,  the  South  church 
in  Boston  hired  a  house  for  us.  Then  we  removed  from  JNIr. 
Shepard's  (those  cordial  friends)  and  went  to  Boston,  where 
we  continued  about  three  quarters  of  a  year.^  Still  the  Lord 
went  along  with  us,  and  provided  graciously  for  us.  I 
thought  it  somewhat  strange  to  set  up  housekeeping  with  bare 
walls,  but,  as  Solomon  sn.y s,  f?io?iey  (Uiswcrs  nil  thi)tgs;  and 
this  we  had  through  the  benevolence  of  Christian  friends,  some 
in  this  town,  and  some  in  that,  and  oiiiers,  and  some  from 
Enc^land,  that  in  a  little  time  we  mii^-htlook  and  see  the  house 
furnished  with  love.  The  Lord  hath  l)een  exceeding  good  to 
us  in  our  low  estate,  in  that  when  we  had  neither  house  nor 
home,  nor  other  necessaries,  the  Lord  so  moved  thi."  hearts  of 
these  and  those  towards  us,  that  we  wanted  neither  food  nor 
raiment  for  ourselves  or  ours.  Prov.  18  :  24,  "  There  is  a 
friend  that  sticketh  closer  than  a  hrnther.'"  And  how  many 
such  friends  have  we  found,  and  now  living  among  us  !  And 
truly  have  we  found  him  to  be  such  a  friend  unto  us  in  whose 
house  we  lived,  viz.  Mr.  James  Whitcomb,  a  friend  near  hand 
and  far  off. 

I  can  remember  the  time  when  I  used  to  sleep  quietly,  with- 


*  Till  May,  1(377. 


MRS.  ROWLANDSON'S   CAriFViTY. 


59 


Lord 
s.       I 

h  bare 

;  and 

,  some 

from 


out  working  in  my  thoughts,  whole  nights  together  ;  but  now 
it  is  otherwise  with  me.  When  all  are  lust  about  me,  and  no 
eye  open,  but  His  who  ever  awaketh,  my  thoughts  are  upon 
things  past,  upon  the  awful  dispensations  of  the  Lord  towards 
us,  upon  his  wonderful  power  and  might  in  carrying  of  us 
through  so  many  dilliculties.  in  returning  us  in  safely,  and 
Rullering  none  to  hurt  us.  I  remember  in  the  night  season 
how  the  other  day  I  was  in  the  midst  of  thousands  of  enemies, 
and  nothing  but  death  before  me.  It  was  then  hard  work  lo  per- 
suade myself  that  ever  1  should  be  satisfied  with  bread  again. 
But  now  we  are  fed  with  the  finest  of  the  wheat,  i.nd,  as  I 
may  say,  with  hou(}j  out  of  the  rock.  Instead  of  the  hifslcs  we 
liave  \.\\ii  fat  calf.  The  thoughts  of  these  things  in  the  jiarlic- 
ulars  of  them,  and  of  the  love  and  goodness  of  God  towards 
us,  make  it  fue  of  me,  what  David  said  of  himself,  Psal.  0:  6, 
— "  /  water  /hi/  couch  ivitk  nuj  tcars.'^  O  the  wonderful  power 
of  God  that  mine  e^es  have  seen,  affording  matter  enough 
for  my  i-. oughts  lO  rviu  in,  that  when  others  are  sleeping  mine 
eyes  are  weeping. 

I.  have  seen  the  extreme  vanity  of  this  world.  One  hour  I 
have  been  in  health,  and  wealth,  wanting  nothing,  but  the  next 
hour  in  sickness,  and  wounds,  and  death,  having  nothing  but 
sorrow  and  afiliction.  Before  1  knew  what  aliliction  meant  I 
was  ready  sometimes  to  wish  for  it.  When  I  lived  in  pros- 
perity, having  the  comforts  of  this  world  about  me,  my  rela- 
tions by  me,  and  my  heart  cheerful,  and  taking  little  care  for 
any  thing,  and  yet  seeing  many,  whom  I  preferred  before  my- 
self, under  many  trials  and  afliictions,  in  sickness,  weakness, 
poverty,  losses,  crosses,  and  cares  of  the  world,  I  should  be 
sometimes  jealous  lest  I  should  have  my  portion  in  this  life. 
But  now  1  sec  the  Lord  had  his  time  lo  srourue  and  chasten 
me.  The  portion  of  some  is  to  have  their  atHiclion  by  drops, 
but  the  ivincof  astonhhment,  like  a  sicceping  rain  that  leaceth 
no  food,  ditl  tlu;  Lord  prepare  to  be  my  portion.  Aliliction  I 
wanted,  and  afHidion  1  had,  full  measure,  pressed  down  and 
running  over.  Yet  I  see  when  God  calls  persons  to  never  so 
many  ditficullies,  yet  he  is  able  to  carry  them  through,  and 
make  them  say  they  have  been  gainers  thereby  ;  and  1  hope  I 
can  say,  in  some  measure,  as  David,  it  is  good  for  vie  titat  I 
have  been  ajjlicled.  TIkj  Lord  hath  showed  me  the  vanity  of 
these  outward  things,  that  they  are  the  vanities  of  vanities  and 
vexation  of  spirit  ;  ihal  they  are  but  a  shadow,  a  blast,  a  bubble, 
and  things  of  no  continuance.  If  trouble  from  smaller  matter 
begin  to  rise  in  me,  I  have  something  at  hand  to  check  myself 
with,  and  say,  "  Why  am  I  troubled  ?"  It  was  but  the  other 
day  that  if  I  had  the  world  I  would  have  given  it  for  my  free- 


N 


iif 


i;  i 


60 


STOCKWELL'S   CAPTIVITY. 


dom,  or  to  have  been  a  servant  to  a  Christian.  I  have  learned 
to  look  beyond  present  and  s/naller  irouhles.  and  lo  be  quieted 
under  them,  as  Moses  said,  Exod.  11:  I'J, — "  Stand  atill  aJid 
see  Ike  salvnUo/i  of  the  Loi'd.'^ 


N  A  R  R  A  T I  \^  E 

OF  THE  CAPTIVITY  OF  UUINTIN  STOCK  WELL,  WHO  WAS  TA- 
KEN AT  DEEIIFIELD,  IN  MASSACHUSETTS,  P.Y  A  1'AIIT\'  OF 
INLAND  INDIANS,  IN  THE  YEAR  1077;  COMMUNICATED  IN 
HIS  OWN  WORDS,  AND  ORIGINALLY  PUBLISHED  BY  THE 
EMINENT  DR.  INCREASE  3IATHER,  IN  THE  YEAR  lt.S4. 


A  particular  account  of  the  irruption  in  which  Stockwell  and  others  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  Indians  will  be  found  in  the  Book  of  the  Indians, 
Book  iii,  p.  i)7  and  98.  Out  of  tn-tnty-JHur  at  that  time  kUlcd  and  taken, 
we  learn  the  names  only  of  these  ;  (iuintin  Stockwell,  John  Root,  Serjeant 
Plimpton,  Benjamin  Stebbins,  his  wife,  Benjamin  Waite,  and  Samuel  Rus- 
sell. Plimpton  was  burnt  in  their  cruel  manner,  Root  was  killed,  and 
Stebbins  escaped.     Of  the  others  I  have  learned  nothing. 


In  the  year  1677,  September  the  19th,  between  sunset  and 
dark,  the  Indians  came  upon  us.  I  and  another  man,  being 
together,  we  ran  away  at  the  outcry  the  Indians  made,  shout- 
ing and  shooting  at  some  others  of  the  English  that  were  hard 
by.  We  took  a  swamp  that  was  at  hand  for  our  refuge  ;  the 
enemy  espying  us  so  near  them,  run  after  us,  and  shot  many- 
guns  at  us;  three  guns  were  discharged  upon  me,  the  enemy 
being  within  three  rotls  of  me,  besides  many  others  before  that. 
Being  in  this  swamp,  which  was  miry,  I  slumped  in  and  fell 
down,  whereupon  one  of  the  enemy  stepped  to  me,  with  his 
hatchet  lifted  up  to  knock  me  on  the  head,  supposing  that  I  had 
been  wounded  and  so  unfit  for  any  other  travel.  I,  as  it  hap- 
pened, had  a  pistol  by  me,  which,  though  uncharged,  I  presented 
to  the  Indian,  who  presently  stepped  back,  and  told  me  if  I 
would  yield  I  should  have  no  hurt ;  he  said,  which  was  not 
true,  that  they  had  destroyed  all  Hatfield,  and  that  the  woods 
were  full  of  Indians,  whereupon  I  yielded  myself,  and  falling 
into  their  hands,  was  by  three  of  them  led  away  unto  the  place 
whence  first  I  began  to  make  my  flight.  Here  two  other  In- 
dians came  running  to  us,  and  the  one  lifting  up  the  butt  end 
of  his  gun,  to  knock  me  on  the  head,  the  other  with  his  hand 
put  by  the  blow,  and  said  I  was  his  friend.     I  was  now  by  my 


ow 

ab( 

fro 

I  (I 

em 

I  i 

tli( 

no; 

nov 

br. 

bro 

het 

see 

pii 

and 

our 

the 


STOCKWELL'S  CAPTIVITY. 


61 


lonrncd 
till  ami 


k^AS  TA- 
IT\'  OF 
TED  IN 
5V   THE 

•4. 


thcrs  fell 
Indians, 
u'l  taken, 
Sergeant 
luel  Rus- 
illed,  and 


iset  and 
being 
shout- 
re  hard 
the 
many 
enemy 
re  that, 
nd  fell 
ith  his 
t  I  had 
it  hap- 
sented 
■no  if  I 
vas  not 
woods 
falling 
e  place 
her  In- 
Litt  end 
s  hand 
by  my 


je 


own  house,  which  the  Iiuliaiis  burnt  the  last  year,  and  I  was 
about  to  build  up  ng"ain  ;  and  there  I  had  some  hopes  to  escape 
from  tliem.  There  was  a  horse  just  by,  which  they  bid  m'^  take. 
I  (lid  so,  but  made  no  allompl  to  escape  tlu^reby,  because  the 
enemy  was  near,  and  the  beast  was  slow  and  dull.  Then  was 
I  in  hopes  ihey  would  send  me  to  take  my  own  hnrse.s,  which 
they  did  ;  but  they  were  so  frightened  that  I  could  not  come 
near  to  them,  and  so  i'ell  >-till  inio  the  enemy's  hamls.  They 
now  took  and  bound  me  and  led  me  away,  and  soon  was  1 
brought  into  the  company  of  other  captives,  who  were  that  day 
brought  away  from  llaUield,  who  were  about  a  mile  otf;  and 
here  methought  was  matter  of  joy  and  sorrow  both:  joy  to 
see  compnnv,  and  sorrow  for  our  condition.  Then  were  we 
pinioned  and  led  away  in  the  night  over  the  mountains,  in  dark 
and  hideous  way^i  about  four  miles  further,  before  we  took  up 
our  place  for  rest,  which  was  in  a  dismal  place  of  wood,  on 
the  east  side  of  that  mountain.  We  were  kept  bound  all  that 
night.  The  Indians  kept  wakino-,  and  we  had  little  mind  to 
sleep  in  this  night's  travel.  The  Indians  dispersed,  and  as  they 
w'ent  made  strange  noises,  as  of  wolves  and  owls,  and  other 
wild  beasts,  to  the  end  that  they  might  not  lose  one  another, 
and  if  followed  they  might  not  be  discovered  by  the  English. 

About  the  break  of  day  we  marched  again,  ami  got  over  that 
great  river  at  Pecomptuclc  [Deerfield]  river  irmutli,  und  there 
rested  about  two  hours.  Here  the  Indians  marked  out  upon 
trees  the  number  of  their  captives  and  slain,  as  tlnur  manner 
is.  Now  was  I  again  in  great  danger,  a  ([uarrel  having  arose 
about  me,  whose  captive  I  was ;  for  three  took  me.  I  thought 
I  must  be  killed  to  end  the  controversy,  so  when  they  put  it  to 
mc,  whose  I  was,  I  said  three  Indians  took'  me  ;  so  they  agreed 
to  have  all  a  share  in  me.  I  had  now  three  masters,  and  lie 
was  my  chief  master  who  laid  hands  on  me  lirst ;  and  thus 
was  I  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  wor>t  of  all  the  company,  as 
AsHPRLOx,  the  Indian  captain,  told  me  ;  which  captain  was  all 
along  very  kind  to  me,  and  a  great  comfort  to  the  English. 
In  this  place  they  gave  us  some  victuals,  which  they  had  brought 
from  the  English.  This  morning  also  they  sent  ten  men  forth 
to  the  town  [of  Deerfield]  to  bring  away  Avhat  they  could  find. 
Some  provision,  some  corn  out  of  the  meadow,  they  brought  to 
us  on  horses,  which  they  had  there  taken. 

From  hence  we  went  up  about  the  falls,  where  we  crossed 
that  river  again  ;  and  whilst  I  was  going,  I  fell  right  down  lame 
of  my  old  womids,  which  I  had  in  the  war,  and  whilst  I  was 
thinking  I  should  therefore  be  killed  by  the  Indians,  and  what 
death  I  should  die,  my  pain  was  smidenly  gone,  and  I  was 
much  encouraged  again.     We  had  about  eleven  horses  in  that 


1 

1,1 


STOCKWELL'S    CAPTIVITY. 


f\  v 


company,  which  the  Indians  n^cd  to  convey  burthens,  and  to 
tarry  women.     It   was   afternoon  when  we   now   crossed   that 
river.     We  traveUod  up  it  till  niglit,  and  then  took  up  our 
lodirinf,''  in  a  dismal  phice,  and  were  staked  down,  and  spread 
out   on  our  backs  ;  and   so  we   hiy  all   niii^ht,  yea,  so  we    lay 
many  nif.'-hts.     They  told  me  their  law  was  that  we  should  lie 
so  nine  nights,  and   by  that  time   it  was   thoui,''ht  we  should  bo 
out   of  our  knowledge.      The   manner   of  staking  down   wa.s 
thus:  our  arms  and  legs,  stretched  out,  were  staked  fast  down, 
anrl   a  cord  about  our  necks,  so  that  we   could  stir  noways. 
The  first  night  of  staking  down,  being  much  tired,  I  slept  as 
comfortable  as  ever.     The  next  day  we  went  up  the  river,  and 
crossed  it,  and  at  night  lay  in  Squakheag  [Northtield]  meadows. 
Our  provision  was  soon  spent,  and  while  we  lay  in  those  mea- 
dows the  Indians  went  a  hunting,  and  the  English  army  came 
out  after  us.     Then  the  Indians  moved  again,  dividing  them- 
selves and  the  captives  into  many  companies,  that  the  English 
mijrht  not  follow  their  tracks.      At  night,  having  crossed  the 
river,  we  met  again  at  the  place  appointed.     The  next  day  we 
crossed  it  again  on  Squakheag  side,  and  there  we  took  up  our 
quarters  for  a  long  time.     I  suppose  this  might  be  about  thirty 
miles  above  Squakheag;  and  here  were  the  Indians  quite  out 
of  all  fear  of  the  English,  but  in  great  fear  of  the  Mohawks. 
Here  they  built  a  long  wigwam,  and  had  a  great  dance,  as  they 
call  it,  and  concluded  to  burn  three  of  us,  and  had  got  bark  to 
do  it  with,  and,  as  I  understood  afterwards,  I  was  one  that  was 
to  be  burnt,  sergeant  Plimpton  another,  and  Benjamin  Waite's 
wife   the  third.     Though  I  knew  not  which  was  to  be  burnt, 
yet  I  perceived  some  were  designed  thereunto ;  so  much  I  un- 
derstood of  their  language.     That  night  I  could  not  sleep  for 
fear  of  next   day's  work ;  the   Indians,  being  w^eary  with  the 
dance,  lay  down  to  sleep,  and  slept  soundly.     The  English 
were  all  loose  ;  then  I  went  out  and  brought  in  wood,  and 
mended  the  fire,  and  made  a  noise  on  purpose,  but  none  awak- 
ed.    I  thought  if  any  of  the  English  would  awake,  we  might 
kill  them  all  sleeping.     I  removed  out  of  the  way  all  the  guns 
and  hatchets,  but  my  heart  failing  me,  I  put  all  things  where 
they  wp  J  again.     The  next  day,  when  we  were  to  be  burnt, 
our  master  and  some  others  spoke  for  us,  and  the  evil  was  pre- 
vented in  this  place.     Hereabouts  we  lay  three  weeks  together. 
Here  I  had  a  shirt  brought  to  me  to  make,  and  one  Indian  said 
it  should  be  made  this  way,  a  second  another  way,  a  third  his 
way.     I  told  them  I  would  make  it  that  way  my  chief  master 
said ;  whereupon  one  Indian  struck  me  on  the  face  with  his 
fist.     I  suddenly  rose  up  in  anger,  ready  to  strike  again  ;  upon 
this  happened  a  great  hubbub,  and  the  Indians  and  English 


STOCKWELL'S  CAI'TIVITY. 


63 


guns 


► 


came  about  mo.  I  was  fain  to  humble  myself  to  my  master, 
so  that  matter  was  put  up.  Before  I  came  to  this  place,  my 
three  masters  were  gone  a  hunting;  I  was  left  with  another 
Indian,  all  the  company  being  upon  a  march  ;  I  was  k'l't  with 
this  Indian,  wlio  fell  sick,  so  that  1  was  fain  to  carry  his  gun 
and  hatchet,  and  had  opportunity,  and  had  thought  to  have 
dispatched  liiin  and  run  away  ;  but  did  not,  for  tbat  the  English 
captives  had  promised  the  contrary  to  one  another  ;  b(>cuuse,  if 
one  should  run  away,  that  wou'd  provoke  the  liulians,  and 
endanger  the  rest  that  could  not  run  away. 

Whilst  we  were  here,  Benjamin  Siebbins,  going  with  some 
Indians  to  Wachuset  Hills,  made  his  escape  IVom  them,  ar)d 
\vhen  the  news  of  his  escape  came  we  v/ere  all  presently  called 
in  and  bouiul ;  one  of  the  Indians,  a  captain  among  tiiern, 
and  always  our  great  friend,  met  me  coming  in,  and  told  me 
Stebbins  was  run  away  ;  and  the  Indians  spake  of  bnrning 
us;  some,  of  only  burning  and  biting  oil"  our  lingers,  by  and 
by.  He  said  there  would  be  a  court,  and  ;ill  would  speak  their 
minds,  but  he  would  speak  last,  and  would  say,  that  the  Intlian 
who  let  Stebbins  run  away  was  only  in  fault,  and  so  no  hurt 
.should  be  done  us,  and  added,  "  fear  not  ;''  so  it  proved  accor- 
dingly. Whilst  we  lingered  hereabout,  provision  grew  scnrce  ; 
one  bear's  foot  must  serve  five  of  us  a  whole  day.  We  began 
to  eat  horse-flesh,  and  eat  up  seven  in  all ;  three  were  left  alive, 
and  not  killed.  After  we  had  been  b.cre,  some  of  the  Indians 
had  been  down,  and  fallen  upon  Hadley,  and  were  taken  by 
the  English,  agreed  with  and  let  go  again.  They  were  to  meet 
the  English  upon  such  a  plain,  there  to  make  further  terms. 
AsiiPALON  was  much  for  it,  but  Wachuset  sachems,  when  they 
came,  were  much  against  it,  and  were  for  this  :  that  we  should 
meet  the  English,  indeed,  but  there  fall  upon  them  and  fight 
them,  and  take  them.  Then  Asiipelon  spake  to  us  English, 
not  to  speak  a  word  more  to  further  that  matter,  for  mischief 
would  come  of  it.  When  those  Indians  came  from  Wachuset 
there  came  with  them  squaws  and  children,  about  four-score, 
who  reported  that  the  English  had  taken  Uncas,  and  all  his 
men,  and  sent  them  beyond  seas.  They  were  much  enraged 
at  this,  and  asked  us  if  it  were  true  ;  we  said  no.  Then  was 
AsHPALON  angry,  and  said  he  would  no  more  believe  English- 
men. They  examined  us  everyone  apart,  and  then  they  dealt 
worse  with  us  for  a  season  than  before.  Still  provision  was 
scarce.  We  came  at  length  to  a  place  called  Squaw-Maug  river ; 
there  we  hoped  for  salmon  ;  but  we  came  too  late.  This  place 
I  account  to  be  above  two  hundred  miles  above  Deerfield.  We 
now  parted  into  two  companies  ;  some  went  one  way,  and  some 
went  another  way ;  and   we  went  over  a  mighty  mountain,  it 


64 


STOCKWELL'S  CArTIVITY. 


i 


b 


''i 


hj 


■  It 


n 


IV  T 


takiriGf  lis  riq"ht  days  to  frn  over  it,  nnd  travollod  very  hard  too, 
haviiiqf  every  day  either  snow  or  rain.  We  iiotiMl  that  on  this 
mountain  all  the  water  run  noribw  >d.  Here  also  we  wanted 
provision  ;  hut  at  Icnijlh  we  met  ngi  '"  on  i\u)  other  side  of"  the 
mountain,  vi/.  on  the  north  siile,  ai  '  river  that  runs  into  the 
lake;   and  We  were;  then  iialf'a  day's  lournev  ("ll'  the  lake. 

We  staid  here  a  ijreat  wliile,  to  make  canoes  to  i;o  over  the 
lake.  Here  1  was  frozen,  and  ayain  we  were  like  to  starve. 
All  the  Indians  went  a  huntinjr,  but  could  i^^et  nothing-:  divers 
days  they  powwowed,  and  yet  t^ot  nothin^r;  then  they  desired 
the  Entrlisli  to  pray,  and  conl'essetl  th(>y  could  do  nothiiiL'' ;  they 
would  have  us  pray,  and  see  what  the  Englishman's  God  could 
do.  I  prayed,  so  did  sergeant  Plimpton,  in  another  place. 
Thvj  Indians  reverently  attended,  morniiijT  and  niij^ht.  Next 
day  they  l^ot  hears  ;  then  they  would  needs  have  us  desire  a 
blessing,  and  return  thaidvs  at  meals  ;  after  a  while  they  grew 
weary  of  it,  and  the  .sachem  did  forbid  us.  When  I  was  fro- 
zen, they  were  very  cruel  towards  me,  because  I  could  not  do 
as  at  other  times.  When  we  came  to  the  lake  we  were  agnln 
sadly  put  to  it  for  provision.  We  were  fain  to  eat  touchwood 
fried  in  bear's  grease.  At  last  we  found  a  company  of  raccoons, 
and  then  we  made  a  feast;  and  the  manner  was  that  we  must 
eat  all.  I  perceived  there  would  be  too  much  for  one  time,  so 
one  Indian  who  sat  next  to  me  bid  me  slip  away  some  to  him 
under  his  coat,  and  he  would  hide  it  for  me  till  another  time. 
This  Indian,  as  soon  as  he  had  got  my  meat,  stood  np  and 
made  a  speech  to  the  rest,  and  discovered  mo  ;  so  that  the  In- 
dians were  very  angry  and  cut  me  another  piece,  and  gave  me 
raccoon  grease  to  driid\,  which  made  me  sick  and  vomit.  I 
fold  them  I  had  enough ;  so  ever  after  that  they  would  give 
me  none,  but  still  teil  me  I  had  raccoon  enough.  So  I  suffer- 
ed much,  and  being  frozen,  was  full  of  pain,  and  could  sleep 
but  a  little,  yet  must  do  my  work.  When  they  went  upon  the 
lake,  and  as  they  came  to  it,  they  lit  of  a  moose  and  killed  it, 
and  staid  there  till  they  had  eaten  it  all  np. 

After  entering  npon  the  lake,  ♦here  arose  a  great  storm,  and 
we  thought  we  should  all  be  cast  away,  but  at  last  we  got  to 
an  island,  and  there  they  went  to  powwowing.  The  powwow 
said  that  Benjamin  Waite  and  another  man  was  coming,  and 
that  storm  was  raised  to  cast  them  away.  This  afterward  ap- 
peared to  be  true,  though  then  I  believed  them  not.  Upon  this 
island  we  lay  still  several  days,  and  then  set  out  again,  oUt  a 
storm  took  us,  so  that  we  lay  to  and  frn,  upon  certain  islands, 
about  three  weeks.  We  had  no  provision  but  raccoons,  so  that 
the  Indians  themselves  thought  they  should  be  starved.  They 
gave  me  nothing,  so  that  I  was  sundry  days  without  any  pro- 


STOCKWELLS  CAPTIVITY. 


65 


p  and 

:ie  lu- 

vo  me 

it.      I 

i  ffivc 

ultbr- 

sleep 

on  the 

ed  it, 


I 


vision.  Wc  went  on  upon  the  hike,  upon  that  isle,  nhout  a 
day's  journey.  We  had  a  little  sled  upon  which  we  drew  our 
load.  Hulore  noon,  I  tired,  and  jui^l  ilion  the  Indians  met  with 
some  Fr(Miohnien  ;  then  one  of  the  Indians  that  tdok  me  caiTio 
to  me  and  called  me  all  manner  of  had  lunnes,  and  threw  mc 
down  upon  my  hack.  I  told  him  1  could  not  ilo  any  more  ;  then 
ho  said  he  mui<t  kill  mc.  I  thought  he  was  about  to  do  it, 
for  ho  pulled  out  his  knife  atid  cut  out  my  pockets,  and  wrap- 
ped theiii  al)out  my  lace,  helped  me  up,  and  UuAi  my  sled  and 
went  away,  giving  me  a  bit  of  biscuit,  as  big  as  a  walnut, 
which  he  had  of  the  Frenchman,  anil  told  mo  he  would  give 
me  a  pipe  of  tobacco.  When  my  sled  was  gone,  I  could  run 
after  him,  but  at  last  I  could  not  run,  but  went  a  foot-pace. 
The  Indians  were  soon  out  of  sight.  1  followed  as  well  as  I 
could,  and  had  many  falls  upon  the  ice. 

At  last,  I  was  so  spent,  I  had  not  strength  enough  to  rise 
again,  but  I  crept  to  a  tree  that  lay  along,  and  got  upon  it, 
and  there  I  lay.  It  was  now  night,  and  very  sharp  weather  : 
I  counted  no  other  but  that  I  must  die  here.  Whilst  I  was 
thinking  of  death,  an  Indian  hallooed,  and  I  answered  him  ; 
he  came  to  me,  and  called  me  bad  names,  and  told  me  if  I 
could  not  go  he  must  knock  me  on  the  head.  I  told  him  he 
must  then  do  so ;  he  saw  how  I  had  wallowed  in  the  snow, 
but  could  not  rise  ;  then  he  took  his  coat  and  wrapt  me  in  it, 
and  went  back  and  sent  two  Indians  with  a  sled.  One  said 
he  must  knock  me  on  the  head,  the  other  said  no,  they  would 
carry  me  away  and  burn  me.  Then  they  bid  me  stir  my  in- 
step, to  see  if  that  were  frozen ;  I  did  so.  When  they  saw 
that,  they  said  that  was  Wukregen.*^  There  was  a  chirur- 
gcon  among  the  French,  they  said,  that  could  cure  me ;  then 
they  took  me  upon  a  sled,  and  carried  me  to  the  fire,  and  made 
much  of  me ;  pulled  oft'  my  wet  and  wrapped  me  in  dry 
clothes,  and  made  me  a  good  bed.  They  had  killed  an  otter, 
and  gave  me  some  of  the  broth  made  of  it,  and  a  bit  of  the 
flesh.  Here  I  slept  till  towards  day,  and  then  was  able  to  gel 
up  and  put  on  my  clothes.  One  of  the  Indians  awaked,  and 
seeing  me  walk,  shouted,  as  rejoicing  at  it.  As  soon  as  it  was 
light,  I  and  Samuel  Russell  went  before  on  the  ice,  upon  a  river. 
They  said  I  must  go  where  I  could  on  foot,  else  I  should 
freeze.  Samuel  Russell  slipt  into  the  river  with  one  foot ;  the 
Indians  called  him  back,  and  dried  his  stockings,  and  then  sent 
us  away,  and  an  Indian  with  us  to  pilot  us.  We  went  four  or 
five  miles  before  they  overtook  us.  I  was  then  pretty  well 
spent.     Samuel  Russell  vvas,  he  said,  faint,  and  wondered  how  I 


*  See  Book  of  the  Indians,  B.  ii.  85. 
6* 


> 


1 1 


66 


STOCKVVKLL'S  CAPTIVITY. 


could  livo,  for  }ii!  hud,  he  said,  trii  mcnls  to  my  one.  Thru 
I  was  laid  ow  tin-  sled,  and  they  ran  away  with  me  on  the  ice; 
the  rest  and  Saninid  Kn.-sdl  canio  softly  after.  Samuel  K'n-xdl 
]  never  saw  more,  nor  know  1  what  heeame  of  him.  They 
got  but  half  way,  and  we  ufol  throuL'h  lo  Shand)Ie<!  al)out  mid- 
night. Six  miles  olF  SInunhlec,  (a  Fremdi  town,)  the  river  was 
0{)en,  and  when  1  (  ame  to  travel  in  that  part  of  the  ice,  I  soon 
tired;  and  two  Indians  ran  away  to  town,  and  one  only  was 
left;  he  would  carry  me  a  few  rods,  and  then  I  would  ^-o 
as  many,  and  then  a  trade  wc  drove,  and  so  wore  lon'^"-  in 
p^oinijf  the  six  miles.  This  Indian  was  now  Kind,  and  fold  uk! 
that  if  lie  did  m)t  carry  me  1  would  die,  and  so  I  should  have 
done,  sure  enou£,d»  ;  and  he  said  I  must  tell  the  Imil'^HsIi  how 
he  helped  me.  When  we  came  to  the  Jirst  house,  there  was 
no  itdiahitant.  Tin?  Indian  was  also  s))enl,an(l  both  were  dis- 
coura<^ed  ;  he  said  we  must  now  die  toi^ether.  At  last  lie  left 
me  alone,  and  pfot  to  atiolher  house,  and  thence  came  some 
French  and  Indians,  and  brought  me  in.  The  French  were 
kind,  and  put  my  hands  and  leet  in  cold  water,  arul  ji^ave  me 
a  dram  of  brandy,  and  a  little  hasty  pudding-  and  milk-  ;  when 
I  lasted  victuals  I  was  hunc^ry,  ami  could  not  have  forborne  it, 
but  I  could  not  get  it.  Now  and  then  they  would  give  me  a 
little,  as  they  thought  best  for  me.  1  laid  by  the  fire  with  the 
Indian  that  night,  hui  could  not  sleep  for  pain.  Next  morn- 
ing the  Indians  and  French  fell  out  about  me,  because  the 
French,  as  the  Indians  said,  loved  the  English  better  than  the 
Indians.  The  French  presently  turned  the  Indians  out  of 
doors,  and  kept  me. 

They  were  very  kind  and  careful,  and  gave  me  a  little 
something  now  aiul  then.  While  I  was  here  all  the  men  in 
that  town  came  to  see  me.  At  this  house  I  was  three  or  four 
days,  and  then  invited  to  another,  and  after  that  to  another. 
In  this  place  I  was  about  thirteen  days,  and  received  miich 
civility  from  a  young  man,  a  bachelor,  who  invited  me  to  his 
house,  with  whom  I  was  for  the  most  part  of  the  time.  He 
was  so  kind  as  to  lodge  me  in  the  bed  with  himself,  gave  me  a 
shirt,  and  would  have  bought  me,  but  could  not,  as  the  Indians 
asked  one  hundred  pounds  for  me.  We  were  then  to  go  to  a 
place  called  Sorel,  and  that  young  man  would  go  with  me,  be- 
cause the  Indians  should  not  hurt  me.  This  man  carried  me 
on  the  ice  one  day's  journey,  for  I  could  not  now  go  at  all.  and 
there  was  so  much  water  on  the  ice  we  could  co  no  further. 
So  the  Frenchman  left  me,  and  provision  for  me.  Here  we 
staid  two  nights,  and  then  travelled  again,  for  now  the  ice  was 
strongj  and  in  two  days  more  we  came  to  Sorel.  When  we 
got  to  the  first  house,  it  was  late  in  the  night ;  and  here  again 


^v--" 


STOCKWKLL'S   CAPTIVITV. 


67 


little 
en  in 
-  four 
other, 
tnurli 
to  his 
He 
me  a 
(lians 
o  to  a 
e,  be- 
■ed  mo 
I.  and 
rther. 
re  we 
e  was 
n  we 
again 


the  people  were  Kind.  Nrxl  day.  heinLT  in  niiicli  p.iin,  I  nskcd 
the  Indians  to  carry  nie  to  the  idiiruriji'eons,  as  tlii'v  li.id  |)roniised, 
nt  whifh  ill  y  wt-ri'  urotli,  and  one  oC  tin  in  look  iiji  his  crntj 
to  lvno<"k  rni',  hut  the  l"'renrlun:nj  would  not  suIIJt  it,  hut  set 
upon  him  aiul  kiidved  him  out  (d  doors.  Then  we  went  tiway 
from  ilicncc,  to  a  place  two  or  three  miles  oil",  where  the 
Indian.-  hud  wiifwams.  Wln'ti  I  onme  lo  these  wiufwanis  some 
of  \\\i'  Indians  knew  me,  and  seemed  to  pity  me. 

W'liilc  I  was  here,  which  w.is  three  or  four  dnys,  the  French 
came  to  see  me  ;  and  ii  heinu'"  Chri>tmas  time,  they  hrou;^ht 
cakes  and  other  provisions  with  them  and  c^ave  tt)  me,  so  that 
I  had  no  want.  The  Indians  trieil  to  cure  me,  hut  could  iH)t. 
Then  I  asked  for  the  (diiruri^n'on,  at  which  one  of  tin-  Indians 
in  ant^n-r  strut  k  nu;  on  the  face  with  his  list.  A  FreiKdnnan 
beiiiLT  hy,  spoke  to  him,  but  I  knew  not  what  he  said,  and  then 
went  his  way.  By  and  by  came  the  captain  of  the  place  into 
th(!  wiu:wain,  with  about  twfdve  armed  men,  and  asked  where 
th(^  Indian  was  that  struck  the  l^iejlishman.  They  look  him 
and  tolil  hiia  he  should  go  to  the  liilhoes,  and  theti  be  hanged. 
The  Indians  were  much  terrified  at  this,  as  appeared  by  their 
countenances  and  trembling.  I  would  have  gone  too,  but  the 
Fr(ni(diinan  bid  mo  not  fear  ;  tliat  the  Indians  durst  not  hurt  me. 
WluMi  that  Indian  was  gone,  I  had  two  masters  still.  1  asked 
them  to  carry  mo  to  that  captain,  that  I  might  speak  for  the 
Indian.  They  answered,  "  Y^oii  are  a  fool.  Do  you  thirdc  the 
French  are  like  the  English,  to  say  one  thing  and  do  another? 
They  are  men  of  their  words."  I  prevailed  with  them,  how- 
ever, to  help  me  thither,  and  I  spoke  to  the  captain  by  an 
interpreter,  and  told  him  I  desired  hiin  to  set  the  Indian  free, 
and  told  him  what  he  hail  done  for  me.  H(>  told  mo  he  was  a 
rogue,  arid  should  be  hanged.  Then  I  spoke  more  privately, 
alleging  this  reason,  that  because  all  the  English  captives 
were  not  come  in,  if  he  were  hanged,  it  might  fare  the  worse 
with  them.  The  captain  said  "  that  was  to  be  considered." 
Then  he  set  him  at  liberty  upon  this  condition,  that  he  should 
never  strike  me  more,  and  every  day  bring  me  to  h.is  house  to 
eat  victmils.  I  perceived  that  the  common  people  did  not  like 
what  the  Indians  had  done  and  did  to  the  English.  When 
ihe  Indian  was  set  free,  he  came  to  me,  and  took  me  about  the 
middle,  and  said  I  was  his  brother;  that  I  had  saved  his  life 
once,  and  he  had  saved  mine  thrice.  Then  he  called  for 
brandy  and  made  me  drink,  and  had  me  away  to  the  wigwams 
again.  Wi^en  I  catne  there,  the  Indians  came  to  me  one  by 
one,  to  shake  hands  with  me,  saying  AVltrregen  Netop,*  and 

*  Friend,  it  is  well. — Ed. 


f   it 


68 


SARAH  GERISH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


[  ^ 


were  very  kind,  thinking  no  other  but  that  I  had  saved  the 
Indi.'ir's  life. 

The  ric>:«  day  he  carried  me  to  that  captain's  house,  and 
set  me  down,^  'J'hey  gave  me  my  victuals  and  wine,  and 
being  left  there  a  while  by  the  Indians,  I  showed  the  captain 
my  fingers,  which  when  he  and  his  wife  saw  they  ran  away 
from  the  sight,  and  bid  me  lap  it  up  again,  and  sent  for  the 
chirurgeon  ;  who,  when  he  cam'',  "-nid  he  could  cure  me,  and 
took  it  in  hand,  and  dressed  it.  The  Indians  towards  night 
came  for  me  ;  I  told  them  I  could  not  go  with  them.  They 
were  displeased,  called  me  rogue,  and  went  away.  That 
night  I  was  full  of  pain  ;  the  French  feared  that  I  would  die  ; 
fi/e  men  did  watch  with  me,  and  strove  to  keep  me  cheerly, 
for  I  was  sometimes  ready  to  faint.  Oftentimes  they  gave  me 
a  little  brandy.  The  next  day  the  chirurgeon  came  again, 
and  dressed  me ;  and  so  he  did  all  the  while  I  was  among  the 
French.     I  came  in  at  Christmas,  and  went  thence  May  2d. 

Being  thus  in  the  captain's  house,  I  was  kept  there  till 
Benjamin  Waite  came ;  and  now  my  Indian  master,  being  in 
want  of  money,  pawned  me  to  the  captain  for  fourteen  bea- 
vers' skins,  or  the  worth  of  them,  at  such  a  day  ;  if  he  did  not 
pay  he  must  lose  his  pawn,  or  else  sell  me  for  tw^'iiy-one  bea- 
vers, but  he  could  not  get  beaver,  and  so  I  was  sold.  By  being 
thus  sold,  adds  Dr.  Mather,  he  was  in  lod's  good  time  set  at 
liberty,  and  returned  to  his  friends  in  Mew  England  again. 


NARRATIVE 


OP  THE  CAI'TTVITY  AND  SUFFERINGS  OF  MISS  SARAH  GER- 
ISH,  WHO  WAS  TAKEN  AT  THE  SACKING  OF  DOVER,  IN 
THE  YEAR  1689,  BY  THE  INDIANS;  AS  COMMUNICATED  TO 
THE  REVEREND  DR.  COTTON  MATHER,  BY  THE  REV  'REND 
JOHN  PIKE,  MINISTER  OP  DOVER. 


Sarah  Gerish,  daughter  of  Capt.  John  Gerish,  of  Quo- 
checho  or  Cocheco,  was  a  very  beautiful  and  ingenious  damsel, 
about  seven  years  of  age,  and  happened  to  be  lodging  at  the 
garrison  of  Major  Waldron,  her  afToctiouD.e  grandfather,  when 
the  Indians  brought  that  horrible  destr)  .ction  upon  it,  un  the 

*  His  feet  were  so  badly  frozen  that  he  bjid  not  walked  for  a  conside- 
rable lime. — Ed. 


SARAH  GERISH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


69 


the 


iside* 


f 


night  of  the  27ih  of  Juno,  IGSJ).  She  wa>;  always  very  fear- 
ful of  ihe  Indians  ;  but,  fear  may  we  tliiiik  now  surprised  her, 
when  they  liercely  bid  iier  <jo  into  a  cerlain  I'hainljer  and  call 
the  p'  'ij)lt>  out  I  She  obeyed,  but  findinLT  only  a  little  child  in 
bed  in  th»'  room,  she  cot  into  the  bed  with  it,  and  bid  herself 
in  the  clothes  as  well  as  slio  could.  'J'he  f(dl  savages  quickly 
pulled  lior  out,  and  made  her  dress  tor  a  march,  but  Jed  her 
away  with  no  more  than  one  siociviu'^'  upon  her,  on  a  terrible 
march  throu<jh  the  thick  woods,  and  a  thousand  other  miseiies, 
till  they  canic  to  the  Norway  I'ianes.*  From  thence  tbey 
made  her  >jo  to  the  end  of  Winn i pis ionec  Ialv(>,  thence  east- 
ward, through  horrid  swamps,  where  sometimes  they  were 
obliLjed  to  scramble  over  hutre  trees  fallen  l>y  stcu'ni  or  ai!C,  for 
a  vast  way  lo'j^elher,  and  sometimes  they  must  climb  up  long, 
.steep,  tiresome,  atid  almost  inaccessible  mountains. 

Her  first  master  was  an  Indian  namiul  Sebundowit,  a  dull 
sort  of  fellow,  and  not  s\u'h  a  devil  as  many  of  them  were, 
but  he  sold  her  to  a  fellow  who  Avas  a  more  harsh  and  mad 
sort  of  a  dragon.      He  carried  her  away  to  Canada. 

A  long  and  sad  journey  now  ensued,  throuL'h  the  midst  of  a 
hideous  desert,  in  the  depth  of  a  dreadful  winter;  and  who 
can  enumerate  the  frii^hts  she  endured  before  the  end  of  her 
journey  ?  Once  her  master  commanded  he'  to  loosen  some  of 
her  upper  garments,  and  stand  against  a  tree  while  he  charged 
liis  liun  ;  whereat  the  poor  child  shrieked  out,  "  He  is  going  to 
kill  me  !"  God  knows  what  he  vas  going  to  do  ;  but  the  villian 
having  charged  his  gun,  he  called  her  from  the  tree  and  for- 
bore doing  her  any  damage.  Upon  another  time  her  master 
ord(>red  her  to  run  alom;-  the  shore  witli  some  Indian  girls, 
while  he  paddled  u\)  the  river  in  his  canoe.  As  the  girls  were 
passing  a  precipice,  a  tawny  wench  violently  pushed  her  head- 
long into  the  river,  but  so  it  fell  out  that  in  this  very  place  of 
her  fall  the  bushes  from  the  shore  hung  over  the  water,  so 
that  she  was  enabled  to  o-oi  hold  of  them,  and  thus  saved  her- 
self. The  Indians  asked  her  how  she  became  so  wet,  but  she 
did  not  dare  to  tell  them,  from  fear  of  the  resentment  of  her 
that  had  so  nearly  deprived  her  of  life  already.  Ami  here  it 
may  b"  remarked,  that  it  is  almost  universally  true,  that  young 
Indians,  both  male  and  female,  are  as  much  to  be  dreaded  by 
captives  as  those  of  maturer  years,  and  in  many  cases  much 
more  so;  for,  uidike  cultivated  people,  they  have  no  restraints 
npon  their  mischievous  and  savage  propensities,  which  they 
imlulge  in  ciMeltif,-  surpassing  any  examples  here  related. 
They  often  vie  with  each  other  in  attempting  excessive  acts  of 
torture, 

*  These  planes  are  in  tho  present  town  of  Rochester,  IV.  H. — tuitor. 


70 


SARAH  GERISH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


Once,  being  spent  with  travelling  all  day,  and  lying  down 
wet  and  exhausted  at  night,  she  fell  into  so  ])rof()und  a  sleep 
that  in  the  morning  she  waked  not.  Her  barbarous  captors 
decamped  from  the  place  of  their  night's  rest,  leaving  this  little 
captive  girl  asleep  and  covered  with  a  snow  that  in  the  night 
had  fallen  ;  but,  at  length  awaking,  what  agonies  may  you 
imagine  she  was  in,  on  findinq- herself  left  a  pre.  for  bears  and 
wolves,  and  without  any  sustenance,  in  a  howling  wilJcrness, 
many  scores  of  leagues  from  any  plantation  !  In  this  dismal 
situation,  how^cver,  she  had  fortitude  sullicient  to  attempt  to 
follow  them.  And  here  again,  the  snow  which  had  been  lier 
covering  upon  the  cold  ground,  to  her  great  discomfort,  was 
now  her  only  hope,  for  she  could  just  discern  by  it  the  trace 
of  the  Indians  !  How  long  it  was  before  she  overtook  them 
is  not  told  us,  but  she  joined  them  and  contiinied  her  captivity. 

Now  the  young  Indians  began  to  terrify  her  by  constantly 
reminding  lier  that  she  was  shortly  to  be  roasted  to  death. 
One  evening  much  fuel  was  prepared  l)etwecn  two  logs,  which 
they  told  her  Avas  for  her  torture.  A  mighty  fire  being  made, 
her  master  called  her  to  him,  and  told  her  that  she  should 
presently  be  burnt  alive.  At  first  she  stood  amazed ;  then 
burst  into  tears  ;  and  then  she  liung  about  her  tiger  of  a  master, 
begging  of  him,  with  an  inexpressible  anguish,  to  save  her 
from  the  fire.  Hereupon  the  monster  so  far  relented  as  to  tell 
her  "  that  if  she  would  be  a  good  girl  she  should  not  be  burnt." 

At  last  they  arrived  at  Canada,  and  she  was  carried  into 
the  Lord  Intendant's  house,  where  many  persons  of  qv.ality 
took  much  notice  of  her.  It  Avas  a  week  after  this  that  she 
remained  in  the  Indian's  hands  before  the  price  of  her  ransom 
could  be  agreed  upon.  But  then  the  lady  intendant  sent  her 
to  the  rmnnery,  where  she  was  comfortal)ly  provided  for  ;  and 
it  was  the  design,  as  was  said,  for  to  have  brought  her  up  in 
the  Romish  religion,  and  then  to  have  married  her  unto  the 
son  of  the  Lord  Intendant. 

She  was  kindly  used  there  until  Sir  William  Phips,  lying 
before  Quebec,  did,  upon  exchange  of  prisoners,  obtain  her  lib- 
erty. After  sixteen  months'  captivity  she  was  restored  unto 
her  friends,  who  had  the  consolation  of  having  this  their  desir- 
able dauirhter  again  with  them,  returned  as  it  were  from  the 
dead.  But  this  dear  child  was  not  to  cheer  her  parents'  path 
for  a  long  period;  for  on  arriving  at  her  sixteenth  year,  July, 
1697,  death  carried  her  oil' by  a  malignant  fever. 


I 


i 


OH 


th( 


ELIZABETH  HEARD'S  CAPTIVITY. 


71 


NARRATIVE 


i-  lib- 
unto 
nlesi  I'- 
ll the 
[  path 
luly, 


OF  THE  RF.:\IARKAP.T.E  ESCAPE  OF  WIDOW  ELIZABETH  HEARD. 
ALSO  TAKJ:\  at  THI:  destruction  of  I\iA.JOR  WALDRON'S 
GARRISON  IN  DOVER,  AS  COMMUNICATED  TO  DOCTOR  COT- 
TON MATHER,  I3V  THE  REV.  JOHN  PIKE,  MLNISTER  OF  THE 
PLACE. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Heard  was  a  widow  of  pfood  estate, a  mother 
of  many  chiklreti,  and  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Hull,  a  reverend 
minister  formerly  living  at  Pascala([ua,  but  at  this  time  lived 
at  Quochecho,  tiie  Indian  name  of  Dover.  Happening  to  be 
at  Portsmouth  on  the  day  before  Quochecho  was  cut  off,  she 
returned  thither  in  the  night  with  one  daughter  and  three  sons, 
all  masters  of  families.  When  they  came  near  Quochecho 
they  were  astonished  with  a  prodigious  noise  of  Indians,  howl- 
ing, shooting,  shouting,  and  roaring,  according  to  their  manner 
in  making  an  assault. 

Their  distress  for  their  families  carried  them  still  further 
up  th'_  river,  till  they  secretly  and  silently  passed  by  some 
immbers  of  the  raging  savages.  They  landed  about  an  hun- 
dred rods  from  Major  Waldron's  garrison,  and  running  up 
the  hill,  they  saw  many  lights  in  the  windows  of  the  garrison, 
which  they  concluded  the  English  within  had  set  up  for  the 
direction  of  those  who  might  seek  a  refuge  there.  Coming 
to  the  gate,  they  desired  entrance,  which  not  being  readily 
granted,  they  called  earnestly,  bounced,  knocked,  and  cried 
out  to  those  within  of  their  unkindness,  that  they  would  not 
open  the  gate  to  them  in  tliis  extremity. 

No  answer  being  yet  made,  they  began  to  doubt  whether  all 
was  well.  One  of  the  young  men  then  clindjing  up  the  wall, 
saw  a  horrible  tawny  in  the  entry,  with  a  gun  in  his  hand.  A 
grievous  consternation  seized  now  upon  tiK'm,and  j\Irs.  Heard, 
sitting  down  without  the  gate,  through  despair  and  faintness, 
was  unable  to  stir  any  further:  but  had  strength  only  to 
charge  her  children  to  shift  for  themselves,  which  she  did  in 
broken  accents  ;  adding  also  that  she  must  unavoidably  there 
end  her  days. 

Her  children,  finding  it  impossible  to  carry  her  with  them, 
Avith  heavy  hearts  forsook  her.  Immediately  after,  however, 
she  beginning  to  recover  from  her  fright,  was  able  to  fly,  and 
hide  herself  in  a  bunch  of  barberry  bushes,  in  the  garden  ;  and 


ELTZj\BETH  IIEA'^D'S  CAniVITY. 


fro 


bcc 


72 

thon  liastorii 

she  slu'llcred  herscH',  tlioiifrh  seen  liy  l^V()  ol'  the  Indians,  in  a 
tliii'ket  of  other  bu^-hcs,  ahovit  tliiriy  rods  tVoni  the  iioiise. 
She  had  not  been  h)ni,>-  here  before  an  Indian  came  Inwards 
her,  with  a  pistol  in  liis  hand.  The  fellow  canio  np  to  her 
and  stared  her  in  tlu'  fai'",  bnt  s;iid  noihin'::^  to  Iwr,  nor  she  to 
him.  He  went  a  little  way  back-,  and  came  aL''ain,  and  stared 
upon  her  as  befor<',  but  said  nothing;  wherenpoii  ^he  asked 
him  what  lie  wonld  have.  He  still  said  nothing:",  but  went 
away  to  the  house,  whoopimr,  and  returned  unto  her  no  more. 

Being  thus  unaccountably  pr<>servod,  she  niadt'  several 
essays  to  pass  the  river,  but  found  herself  unalde  to  do  it,  and 
finding  all  places  on  thai  side  of  th(>  river  filled  with  blood 
and  fire,  and  hideous  outcries,  she  thereupon  returned  to  her 
old  bush,  and  there  poured  out  her  ardeiil  prayers  to  God  for 
help  in  tliis  distress. 

She  continued  in  this  bush  until  the  garrison  was  burnt, 
and  the  enemy  had  gone,  and  then  she  stole  along  by  the  river 
side,  until  she  came  to  a  boom,  on  wiiich  she  passed  over. 
Many  sad  effects  of  cruelty  she  saw  left  by  the  Indians  in  her 
way.  She  soon  after  safely  arrived  at  Captain  Gerish's  gar- 
rison, where  she  found  a  refuge  from  The  storm.  Here  she 
also  had  the  satisfaction  to  understand  that  her  own  garrison, 
though  one  of  the  first  that  was  assaulted,  had  been  bravely 
vicfended,  and  successfully  maintained  against  the  adversary. 

This  gentlewoman's  garrison  was  on  the  most  extreme  fron- 
tier of  the  province,  and  more  obnoxious  than  any  other,  and 
therefore  more  incapable  of  being  reli-'ved.  Nevertheless,  by 
her  presence  and  courage,  it  held  out  all  the  war,  even  for  ten 
years  together ;  and  the  persons  in  it  have  enjoyed  very  emi- 
nent preservations.  It  would  have  been  deserted,  if  she  liad 
accepted  oilers  that  were  made  her  by  her  friends,  to  ahandon 
it,  and  retire  to  Porlsmouth  among  them,  which  would  have 
been  a  damage  to  the  town  and  land;  but  by  h(>r  enconrage- 
ment  this  post  was  thus  kept  U(\  and  she  is  yet  [1702]  living 
in  much  esteem  amomi'  her  neighbors. 

Note  1. — IMus,  ITeakd  was  ihe  wIiIdw  of  a  INIr.  Jolni  Heard.  Slie  had 
fi\c  sons.  ]}enjainni.  Jolm,  Josepli,  Samnol  and  Tristrnni,  and  an  equal 
lunnlier  of  daujzliters.  Tlie  lasl-named  son  was  waylaid  and  killed  bj' 
the  Indiana  in  the  year  ITJ!). — IMS.  Ciuio.nu  i.ks  or  tui;   I.ndians. 

NoTF,  2. — It  will  doubtless  seem  surprisiuii;  to  the  reader  that  Mrs.  Heard 
should  be  sull'ered  to  escape  captivity,  when  she  was  d.,>eovered  by  a 
f^rim  warrior,  who,  without  doubt,  was  seekinj?  for  some  white  inhab- 
itant, on  whom  to  wreak  his  ven^'eance.  The  facts  seem  to  be  tliese  ; 
Thirteen  years  before,  namely,  in  lt')7fi,  when  the  four  hnndred  Indians 
were  surprised  in  Dover,  (in  a  manner  not  at  all  doubtful  as  it  respects 


O 


^ 


ranccd, 
IS,  in  a 
iioiiso. 
owards- 
)  to  her 
■  .'^lie  to 
I  stared 
e  asked 
It   went 

0  more, 
several 

1  it,  and 
1  blood 
1  to  her 
God  for 

^   burnt, 
he  river 
d   over. 
s  in  her 
h's  gar- 
ere   she 
Tirrison, 
bravely 
rsary. 
le  fron- 
er,  and 
ess,  by 
lor  ten 
y  enii- 
le  l)ad 
an  don 


sh 


I  r)t 


have 


oiirai^e- 
living' 


Sl)o  had 
an  cqiinl 
<ilk'(i  by 
\s. 

s.  Hoard 

M'i'd  by  a 

iiihab- 

le  those  : 

[iidians 

rospects 


CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  GYLES. 


73 


the  character  of  their  captors.)  this  sanio  ^Irs  Hoard  soorotod  a  young 
Indian  in  hor  hmiso,  by  wiiicli  moans  be  osoapod  that  calaniiliins  day. 
The  reador  of  Indian  liislory  will  not,  now,  1  prosunio.  harluir  surprise 
at  the  conduct  of  the  warrior.  Vnr  the  pariiiuiars  of  iho  event  oou- 
nected  with  this  narrative,  see  The:  Book  of  THii  Inpia.ns,  Book  in. 
Chap,  viii — Ed. 


M  E  M  O  I  R  S 

OF  ODD  ADVENTURES,  STR.\NGE  DEETVERANCES,  ETC..  IN  THE 
CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  UVEE*,  ESQ.,  COMMANDER  OF  THE 
GARRISON  ON  ST.  GEORGE  RIVEU,  IN  THF,  DISTRICT  OF 
MAINE  WRITTEN  BV  HLMSIXF.  ORIGINALLY  PUBLISHED 
AT  BOSTON,  1736. 

Introduction. — These  ^livate  memoirs  were  collected  from 
my  minutes,  at  the  earnest  request  of  my  second  consort,  for 
the  use  of  our  family,  that  we  might  have  a  memento  ever 
ready  at  hand,  to  excite  in  ourselves  gratitude  and  thankfulness 
to  God;  and  in  our  offspring  a  due  sense  of  their  dependence 
on  the  Sovereign  of  the  universe,  from  the  precariousness  attd 
vicissitudes  of  all  sublunary  enjoyments.  In  this  state,  and  for 
this  end,  they  have  laid  by  me  for  some  years.  They  at  length 
falling  into  .'.e  hands  of  some,  for  whose  jtidgment  1  had  a 
value,  I  was  pressed  fur  a  copy  for  the  public.  Others,  desir- 
ing of  me  to  e.vtract  particulars  from  them,  which  the  iimlli- 
plicity  and  urgency  of  my  aflairs  wouKl  not  admit,  I  have  now 
determined  to  suli'er  their  publication.  I  have  not  made  scarce 
any  addition  to  this  manual,  except  in  the  chapter  oi  creatures, 
which  I  was  urged  to  make  much  laro'er.  I  iniirht  havr*  great- 
ly enlarged  it,  but  I  feared  it  would  grow  beyond  its  proportion. 
I  have  been  likewise  advised  to  give  a  particular  account  of 
my  father,  which  I  am  not  very  fond  of,  havino-  no  dependence 
on  the  virtiu:'s  or  honors  of  my  ancestors  to  recommend  me  to 
the  favor  of  God  or  men  ;  nevertheless,  because  some  think  it 
is  a  respect  due  to  the  memory  of  my  parents,  whose  name  I 
was  obliged  to  mention  in  the  following  story,  and  a  satisfaction 
which  their  posterity  tuight  justly  expect  from  me,  I  shall  give 
some  account  of  him,  thoutj^h  as  brief  as  possible. 


The  flourishing  state  of  New  England,  before  the  unhappy 
eastern  wars,  dr^w  my  father  hither,  whose  first  settlement  was 
onKennebeck  river,  at  a  place  called  Merrymeeting  Bay,  where 
he  dwelt  for  some  years ;  until,  on  the  death  of  my  grand  pa- 


I* 


?4 


CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  GYLES. 


rents,  he,  with  his  family,  returned  to  Eni^laiid,  to  settle  his 
affairs.  This  done,  he  came  over  with  the  design  to  have  re- 
turned to  his  fiirni  ;  but  on  his  arrival  at  Boston,  the  eastern 
Indians  had  begun  their  hostilities.  He  tlierefore  begun  a 
settlement  on  Long  Island.  The  air  of  that  place  not  so  well 
agreeing  with  his  constitution,  and  the  Indians  having  become 
peaceable,  he  again  proposed  to  resettle  his  lands  in  Merrymeet- 
ing  Bay;  but  finding  that  place  deserted,  and  that  plantations 
were  going  on  at  Pemmaquid,  he  purchased  several  tracts  of 
land  of  the  inhabitants  there.  Upon  his  highness  the  duke  of 
York  resuming  a  claim  to  those  parts,  my  father  took  out  patents 
under  that  claim  ;  and  when  Pemmaquid  was  set  off  by  the 
name  of  the  county  of  Cornwall,  in  the  province  of  New  York, 
he  was  commissioned  chief  justice  of  the  same  by  Gov.  Duncan 
[Dongan.]  *  He  was  a  strict  Sabbatarian,  and  met  with  con- 
siderable difficulty  in  the  discharge  of  his  office,  from  the 
immoralities  of  a  people  who  had  long  lived  lawless.  He  laid 
out  no  inconsiderable  income,  which  he  had  annually  from 
England,  on  the  place,  and  at  last  lost  his  life  there,  as  will 
hereafter  be  related. 

I  am  not  insensible  of  the  truth  of  an  assertion  of  Sir  Roger 
L'Estrange,  that  "  Books  and  dishes  have  this  common  fate  : 
no  one  of  either  ever  pleased  all  tastes."  And  I  am  fully  of 
his  opinion  in  this :  "  It  is  as  little  to  be  wished  for  as  ex- 
pected;  for  a  universal  applause  is,  at  least,  two  thirds  of  a 
scandal."  To  conclude  with  Sir  Roger,  "  Though  I  made  this 
composition  principally  for  my  family,  yet,  if  any  man  has  a 
mind  to  take  part  with  me,  he  has  free  leave,  and  is  welcome  ;" 
but  let  him  carry  this  consideration  along  with  him,  "  that  he 
is  a  very  unmannerly  guest  who  forces  himself  upon  another 
man's  table,  and  then  quarrels  with  his  dinner." 

Chapter  I. —  Containing  the  occurrences  of  the  first  year. 
On  the  second  day  of  August,  1689,  in  the  morning,  my  hon- 
ored father,  Thomas  Gyles,  Esq.,  went  with  some  laborers,  my 
two  elder  brothers  and  myself,  to  one  of  his  farms,  which  laid 
upon  the  river  about  three  miles  above  fort  Charles,!  adjoining 
Pemmaquid  falls,  there  to  gather  in  his  English  harvest,  and 
we  labored  securely  till  noon.     After  we  had  dined,  our  people 

*  He  had  been  appointed  governor  of  New  York  30  Sept.  1682. — Ed. 

j  Fort  Charles  stood  on  the  spot  where  fort  Frederick  was,  not  long 
since,  founded  by  Colonel  Dunbar.  The  township  adjoining  thereto  was 
called  Jamestown,  in  honor  to  the  duke  of  York.  In  ihis  town,  within  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  fort,  was  my  father's  dwelling-house,  from  which 
he  went  out  that  unhappy  morning. 


( 


( 


^"^ 


CAPTIVITY  OF  JOHN  GYLES. 


76 


went  to  their  labor,  some  in  one  fieUl  to  their  English  hay,  the 
others  to  another  lioKi  of  English  corn.  My  father,  the  yonng- 
est  of  my  two  brother.s,  and  myself,  tarried  near  the  farm-iiouse 
in  which  we  had  dined  till  about  one  of  the  clock  ;  at  which 
time  we  heard  tlie  report  of  several  great  guns  at  the  fort. 
Upon  which  my  father  said  he  hoped  it  was  a  signal  of  good 
news,  and  that  the  great  council  had  sent  back  the  soldiers,  to 
cover  the  inhabitants  ;  (for  on  report  of  the  revolution  they  had 
deserted.)  But  to  our  great  surprise,  about  thirty  or  forty  In- 
dians,"^ at  that  n)omcnt,  discharged  a  volley  of  shot  at  ns,  from 
behind  a  rising  ground,  near  our  barn.  The  yelling  of  the 
Indians,!  the  whistling  of  their  shot,  and  the  voice  of  my  father, 
whom  I  heard  cry  out,  "  What  now  !  what  now  ! "  so  terrified 
me,  (though  ho  seemed  to  be  handling  a  gun,)  that  I  endeavor- 
ed to  make  my  escape.  My  brother  ran  one  way  and  I  another, 
and  looking  over  my  shoulder,  I  saw  a  stout  fellow,  painted, 
pursuing  me  with  a  gun,  and  a  cutlass  glittering  in  his  hand, 
which  I  expected  every  moment  in  my  brains.  I  soon  fell 
down,  and  the  Indian  seized  me  by  the  left  hand.  He  offered 
me  no  abuse,  but  tied  my  arms,  then  lifted  me  up,  and  pointed 
to  the  place  where  the  people  were  at  work  about  the  hay,  and 
led  mo  that  way.  As  we  went,  we  crossed  where  my  father 
was,  who  looked  very  pale  and  bloody,  and  walked  very  slowly. 
When  we  came  to  the  place,  I  saw  two  men  shot  down  on  the 
flats,  and  one  or  two  more  knocked  on  their  heads  with  hatch- 
ets, crying  out,  "  O  Lord,"  &c.  There  the  Indians  brought 
two  captives,  one  a  man,  and  my  brother  James,  who,  with  me, 
had  endeavored  to  escape  by  running  from  the  house,  when  we 
were  first  attacked.  This  brother  was  about  fourteen  years  of 
age.  My  oldest  brother,  whose  name  was  Thomas,  wonder- 
fully escaped  by  land  to  the  Barbican,  a  point  of  land  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  opposite  the  fort,  where  several  fishing 
vessels  lay.  He  got  on  board  one  of  them  and  sailed  that 
night. 

After  doing  what  mischief  they  could,  they  sat  down,  and 
made  us  sit  with  them.  After  some  time  we  arose,  and  the 
Indians  pointed  for  us  to  go  eastward.  We  marched  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile,  and  then  made  a  halt.  Here  they  brought 
my  father  to  us.  They  made  proposals  to  him,  by  old  Moxus, 
who  told  him  that  those  were  strange  Indians  who  shot  him, 

*  The  whole  company  of  Indians,  according  to  Charlevoix,  was  one 
hundred. — Ed. 

fThe  Indians  have  a  custom  of  uttering  a  most  horrid  howl  when  they 
discharge  guns,  designing  thereby  to  terrify  those  whom  they  fight 
against. 


^'^•^ 


III 


70 


C/PTIVITY   OF  JOHN   GYLES. 


and  that  he  was  sorry  for  it.     My  father  ropliod  that  he  was 


a  (Ivinir  man,  and  wan 


itf'd 


no  lavor  ol 


tl 


icin 


but  I 


() 


tis  ( 


hil 


'Iron. 


T 


IKS    hlMllir  UTUIl 


ted  1 


uni,  lie  roeonnnen( 


pray 
led 


th 


wi 


ns  to 


the  protection  and  blessiiin-  of  Gud  Ahnijjhty  ;  then  p-ave  us 
the  'jcst  advice,  and  took  his  leave  for  this  life,  hopiiitf  in  God 
that  we  should  meet  in  a  better.  He  parted  with  a  cheerful 
voice,  but  looked  very  pal",  by  reason  of  his  n-rcal  loss  of  blood, 


w 


hid 


I   in)W  yusliec 


out  of  his  shoes.  The  Indians  led  him 
aside  I — I  heard  the  blows  of  the  hatchet,  but  neither  shriek 
nor  ^Toan  I  I  afterwards  heard  that  he  had  live  or  seven  shot- 
holes  through  his  waistcoat  or  jacket,  and  that  he  was  covered 


wi 


some  bouyhs 


th 

The  Indiat  b  'ed  us,  their  captives,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  to'  "-s  the  fort,  and  when  we  came  within  a  mile  and 
a  half  Oi  ..i  1  .  and  town,  and  could  see  the  fort,  we  saw 
tiring  and  .r.oke  ii:  all  sides.  Here  we  made  a  short  stop, 
and  then  moved  wiu.iU  or  near  ilie  distance  of  three  quarters 
of  a  mile  from  the  fort,  into  a  thick  swamp.  There  I  saw  my 
mother  and  my  two  little  sisters,  and  many  other  captives  who 
were  taken  from  the  town.  ^ly  mother  asked  me  about  my 
father.  I  toUl  iior  he  was  killed,  but  could  say  no  more  for 
grief.  vShe  burst  into  tears,  and  the  Iiidians  moved  me  a  littlo 
farther  ofl',  and  seized  me  with  cords  to  a  tree. 

The  Indians  came  to  New  Harbor,  and  sent  spies  several 
days  to  observe  how  and  where  the  people  were  employed, 
&c.,  who  found  the  men  were  generally  at  work  at  noon,  and 
left  about  their  houses  only  women  and  children.  Therefore 
the  Indians  divided  themselves  into  several  parties,  some  am- 
bushing the  way  between  the  fort  and  the  houses,  as  likewise 
between  them  and  the  distant  fields;  and  then  alarming  the 
farthest  ofT  first,  they  killed  and  toolc  the  people,  as  they 
moved  towards  the  town  ajul  fort,  at  tlieir  pleasure,  and  very 
few  escaped  to  it.  INIr.  Pateshall  was  taken  and  killed,  as  he 
lay  with  his  sloop  near  the  Barbican. 

On  the  first  stir  about  the  fort,  my  youngest  brother  was  at 
play  near  it,  and  running  in,  was  by  God's  goodness  thus  pre- 
served. Captain  Weems,  with  great  courage  and  resolution, 
defended  the  weak  old  fort'^  two  days  ;  when,  being  much 
wounded,  and  the  best  of  his  men  killed,  he  beat  for  a  parley, 
which  eventuated  in  these  conditions  : 

1.  That  they,  the  Indians,  should  give  him  Mr.  Pateshall's 
sloop.     2.  That  they  should  not  molest  him  in  carrying  off  the 

*  I  presume  Charlevoix  was  misinformed  about  the  strength  of  this  place. 
He  says,  ''  lis  [the  Engli.>li]  y  avoteiit  fait  an  fort  bel  ctablissement,  de- 
f6ndu  par  an  fort,  ciui  n'etoit  a  la  veriie  que  de  pieux,  mais  assez  regulierc- 
mcnt  construit,  avec  vingt  canons  morttes." 


JOHN  GYLES'  CAPTIVITY. 


77 


Kill's 

the 

ilace. 
It,  de- 
liierc- 


few  people  that  had  ^ot  into  the  fort,  and  throo  captives  that 
tlipy  had  taken.  3.  That  the  Kni^lish  should  carry  off  in  their 
hands  what  they  could  from  the  fort. 

On  these  conditions  the  fort  was  surrendered,  and  Captain 
Weems  went  oil";  and  soon  after,  the  Indians  set  on  lire  the 
fort  and  houses,  which  made  a  terrible  blast,  and  was  a  melan- 
choly sit^ht  to  us  poor  capt,ves,  who  were  sad  sptM'tator.^  ! 

After  the  Indians  hiid  thus  laid  waste  Pemmacjuid,  they 
moved  us  to  New  Harbor,  about  two  miles  east  of  Femmaiiuid, 
a  cove  much  frequented  by  fishermen.  At  this  place,  there 
were,  before  the  war,  about  twelve  houses.  Those  the  inhab- 
itants deserted  as  soon  as  the  rumor  of  war  reached  the  place. 
When  we  turned  our  backs  on  the  town,  my  heart  was  ready 
to  break  !  I  saw  my  mother.  She  spoke  to  me,  biit  I  could 
not  answer  her.  That  nig-ht  we  tarried  at  New  Harbor,  and 
the  next  day  went  in  their  canoes  for  P  nobscot.  About 
noon,  the  canoe  in  which  my  mother  was,  ad  hat  in  which  I 
was,  came  side  by  side  ;  whether  accident;^,  y  or  by  my 
mother's  desire  I  cannot  say.  She  askea  me  how  I  did.  I 
think  I  said  "  pretty  well,"  but  my  heart  was  so  full  of  grief  I 
scarcely  knew  whether  audible  to  her.  T  .en  she  said,  "  O, 
my  child !  how  joyful  and  pleasant  ii  would  be,  if  we  were 
j[Toing  to  old  Eni^land,  to  see  your  un  a  Chalker,  and  other 
friends  there  !  Poor  babe,  we  are  going  into  the  wilderness, 
the  Lord  knows  where  !"     Then  bursting  into  tears,  the  canoes 

f)arted.     That  night  following,  the  Indians  w^ith  their  captives 
edged  on  an  island. 

A  few  days  after,  we  arrived  at  Penobscot  fort,  where  I 
again  saw  my  mother,  my  brother  and  sisters,  and  many  other 
captives.  I  think  \ve  tarried  here  eight  days.  In  that  time, 
the  Jesuit  of  the  place  had  a  great  mind  to  buy  me.  My 
Indian  master  made  a  visit  to  the  Jesuit,  and  carried  me  with 
him.  And  here  I  will  note,  that  the  Indian  who  takes  a  cap- 
tive is  accounted  his  master,  and  has  a  perfect  right  to  him, 
until  he  gives  or  sells  him  to  another.  I  saw  the  Jesuit  show 
my  master  pieces  of  gold,  and  understood  afterwards  that  he 
was  tendering  them  for  my  ransom.  He  gave  me  a  biscuit, 
which  I  put  into  my  pocket,  and  not  daring  to  eat  it,  buried  it 
under  a  log,  fearing  he  had  put  something  into  it  to  make  me 
love  him.  Being  very  young,  and  having  heard  much  of  the 
Papists  torturing  the  Protestants,  caused  me  to  act  thus  ;  and 
I  hated  the  sight  of  a  Jesuit.*     When  my  mother  heard  the 

*  It   is  not   to   be   wondered  at   that  antipathy  should  be  so  plainly 
exhibited  at  this  time,  considering  what  had  been  going  on  in  England  up 
to   the  latest   dates ;  but  that   children  should   have  been  taught,   that 
Catholics  had  the  power  of  winning  over  heretics  by  any  mysterious  pow 
7* 


it  ) 


Jf 


78 


JOHN   GYLES'    CAPTIVITY. 


talk  of  my  boiuiif  sold  to  a  Ji-snit,  she  said  to  mo,  "  Oh,  my 
dear  rliild,  it'  it  wore  God's  will.  1  had  rather  follow  yo\i  to 
your  'jrave,  or  never  see  yo>i  mop'  in  this  world,  than  you 
shoiihl  he  sold  to  aJesuil  ;  for  a. Jesuit  will  ruin  you.  hody  and 
soul  !"*  It  pleased  God  to  ^rant  her  recpiest,  for  she  never 
saw  me  mor(> !  Yet  she  and  my  two  little  sisters  were,  after 
several  years'  captivity,  red»'eined,hut  she  died  he  fore  1  returned. 
My  hrother  who  was  taken  with  me,  was,  alter  several  years' 
captivity,  most  harharously  tortured  to  death  hy  the  Indians. 

My  Indian  master  carried  me  up  Penohscot  river,  to  a  vii- 
lai^e  called  J^ladawainhee,  which  stands  on  a  point  of  land 
between  tiie  main  river  and  a  branch  which  heads  to  the 
east  of  it.  At  home  I  had  ever  seen  strauL'^ers  treated  with 
the  utmost  civility,  and  ijeincr  u  ^^tranfrer,  I  expected  some  kind 
treatment  here  ;  but  I  soon  found  myself  deceived,  for  I  pres- 
ently saw  a  nund)er  of  squaws,  who  had  jrot  toL'"ether  in  a 
circle,  dancinrr  and  yellinp^.  An  old  (rrim-lookin<j  one  took 
me  by  the  hand,  and  leading  me  into  the  rinij,  some  seized 
me  by  my  hair,  and  others  hy  my  hands  and  feet,  like  so  many 
furies  ;  but  my  master  presently  laying  down  a  pledg'e,  they 
released  me. 

A  captive  among  the  Indians  is  exposed  to  all  manner  of 
abuses,  and  to  the  extremest  tortures,  utdess  their  master,  or 
some  of  their  master's  relations,  lay  down  a  ransom  ;  such  as 
a  bag  of  corn,  a  blanket,  or  the  like,  which  redeems  them  from 
their  cruelty  for  that  dance.  The  next  day  we  went  uj)  that 
eastern  branch  of  Penobscot  river  many  leagues  ;  carried 
over  land  to  a  large  pond,  and  from  one  pond  to  another,  till, 
in  a  few  days,  we  went  down  a  river,  called  Medocktack, 
v/hich  vents  itself  into  St.  John's  river.  liut  before  we  came 
to  the  mouth  of  this  river,  we  passed  over  a  long  carrying 
place,    to    Medocktack    fort,  which  stands  on   a  bank  of  St. 

ders,  or  other  arts,  furnished  them  by  his  satanic  majesty,  is  a  matter,  to 
say  the  least,  of  no  little  admiration. — Ed. 

*  It  may  not  be  improper  to  hear  how  the  Jesuits  themselves  viewed 
these  matters.  The  settlement  here  was,  accordin^^  to  the  French  account, 
in  their  dominions,  and  the  English  settlers  ''  incommoited  extremely  from 
thence  all  the  Indians  in  the  adjacent  country,  who  were  the  avowed  friends 
of  the  French,  and  causetl  the  government  of  Acadia  no  less  inquietude, 
who  feared  with  reason  theeilect  of  their  intri;iues  in  detiuhing  the  Indians 
from  their  alliance.  The  Indians,  who  underlook  to  break  up  the  post 
atPemmaquid,  were  Penobscots,  among  whom  a  Jesuit,  named  M.  Thury, 
a  good  laborer  in  the  faith,  had  a  numerous  mission.  The  first  atten- 
tion before  setting  out  of  these  brave  Christians  was  to  secure  aid  of  the 
God  of  battles,  by  confessions  and  the  sacrament :  and  they  took  care 
that  their  wives  and  children  performed  tlie  same  rites,  and  raised  their 
pure  hands  to  heaven,  while  their  fathers  and  mothers  went  oui  lo  battle 
against  the  heretics."     See  Charlevoix. — Ed. 


JOHN   GVLES"    CAPTIVITY 


79 


\ 


John's  rivf'i'.  I\Ty  innstrr  wont  V  'fore  tuul  left  mo  with  nn 
ohi  liuliaii,  and  two  or  ihit  o  <([ua\vs.  'Jlic  ohi  man  often  said, 
(wliirh  was  all  tho  Eni:lisli  he  cnnM  ,sj>oak.)  "Hy  and  hy  coino 
to  a  <i;  oat  town  and  fort."  1  now  i  oniforlod  niy«<olf  in  think- 
inu  how  liiudv  I  shonid  ho  rofri'>^ho(l  when  1  canio  to  this  ureal 
town. 

Aftor  sonio  milos'  travol  wo  canio    in  .-iirht  of  a  lar<;e  corn- 


1  wo 


fi(dd,  and  soon  after  (d'  the  fort,  to  my  ^"^roat  surprise 
or  throo  scpiaws  n>ot  us,  took  oil"  my  pacdv.  and  lod  me  to  a 
lartro  hilt  or  wiufwam,  whoro  thirlv  or  fortv  Indians  wor(>  dan- 
cinui'  and  yidliiiir  round  live  or  six  poor  captives,  who  had  heon 
taken  some  months  hoforo  from  Cimxdioch,  at  the  time  Major 
Waldron  was  so  harharously  hiitcdiorod  hy  them.  And  hofore 
procoedini''  with  my  narrative  I  will  irive  a  short  account  of 
that  action. 

Major  Waldron's  pfarrison  was  taken  on  tiie  ni<rht  of  the 
27th  of  Juno,  1(J89.*  1  have  heard  the  liulians  say  at  a  feast 
that  as  there  wa.-^  a  truce  for  some  days,  they  contrived  to  send 
in  two  sfpiaws  to  take  rmtice  of  li.e  nnmhors,  lodjrini^s  and 
other  circumstances  of  the  peoph^  in  his  ir:irrison,  and  if  they 
could  ohtain  leave  to  lodire  there,  to  open  the  pates  and  whistle. 
(They  said  the  irates  had  no  locks,  but  were  fastened  with 
pins,  and  that  they  kept  tio  watch.)  The  squaws  had  a  favor- 
able season  to  prosecute  their  projection,  for  it  was  dull 
weather  when  they  came  to  hen'  leave  to  lodge  in  the  garrison. 
They  told  the  major  that  a  great  number  of  Indians  were  not 
far  from  thence,  with  a  considerable  cjuantity  of  beaver,  who 
would  be  there  to  trade  with  him  tho  next  day.  Some  of  the 
people  were  very  much  aijainst  their  lodging  in  the  garrison, 
but  the  major  said,  "  Let  the  poor  creatures  lodge  by  the  fire." 
The  scpiaws  went  into  every  apartmcmt,  and  observing  the 
numbers  in  each,  when  all  the  people  were  asleep,  arose  and 
opened  the  gates,  gav<>  the  signal,  and  the  other  Indians  came 
to  them  ;  and  having  received  an  account  of  the  state  of  the 
garrison,  they  divid(>d  accordiiig  to  the  number  of  people  in 
each  apartment,  and  soon  took  and  killed  them  all.  The 
major  lodged  within  an  iimer  room,  and  when  the  Indians 
broke  in  upon  him,  he  cried  out,  "  What  now  !  what  now  !" 
and  juniping  out  of  bed  with  only  his  shirt  on,  seized  1  is  sword 
and  drove  them  before  him  through  two  or  three  doors ;  but  for 

*  The  date  stands  in  the  old  narrative,  "  in  the  beginning  of  April  on 
the  nij^ht  alter  a  Sabbath,"  which  tjeins;  an  error,  I  have  corrected  it. 
What  time  in  the  ni<^ht  of  the  'JTth  thi'  place  was  attacked,  is  not  mentioned, 
but  the  accounts  of  it  are  chiefly  dated  the  day  following,  viz.  the  28th, 
when  the  tragedy  was  finished.  The  squaws  had  taken  up  their  lodging 
there  on  the  night  of  the  27th,  and  if  the  attack  begun  before  midnight, 
which  it  probably  did,  the  date  in  the  text  is  the  true  one. — Ed. 


80 


JOHN  GYLES'    CAPTIVITY. 


|r« 


some  ".ason,  turninp  nl)oui  towards  the  npnrlmcnl  ho  hnd  just 
left,  an  Indian  caiiK!  np  hehind  him,  Knoi'k(>(l  him  on  the  head 
with  his  h'lchet,  which  stnuned  him,  and  he  W'W.  'I'hey  now 
seized  upon  him,  diajt'^'ed  liim  out,  and  sellini,^  him  uj)on  a 
ioiuf  tahh;  in  his  hall,  hid  him  "judge  Indians  njj^ain."  Tlieii 
tliey  cut  and  slalfhcd  him,  and  he  cried  out,  "  O,  Lord  !  O, 
Lord  !"  'i'liey  hid  him  orch'r  his  hooU  of  accounts  to  h(» 
hrought,  and  to  cross  out  all  the  Indians'  dehls,*  (he  havinjj; 
traded  much  with  them.)  After  they  iuul  tortured  him  to 
death,  they  hurned  the  garrison  and  drew  off.  This  narration 
I  had  from  their  own  mouths,  at  a  general  meeting,  and  have 
reason  to  think  it  truc.t     But  to  return  to  my  narrative. 

I  was  whirled  in  aiiu)ng  this  circle  (d  Indians,  ami  we  pris- 
oners looked  on  each  other  with  a  sorrowful  countenance. 
Presently  one  of  them  was  seized  hy  each  hand  and  foot,  hy 
four  Indians,  who,  swinging  him  up,  let  his  i)ack  fall  on  the 
ground  with  full  force.  This  they  repeated,  till  they  had 
danced,  as  they  called  it,  round  the  whole  wigwam,  which  was 
thirty  or  forty  feet  in  length.  But  when  they  torture  a  hoy 
they  take  him  up  between  two.  This  is  one  of  tlieir  customs 
of  torturing  captives.  Another  is  to  take  up  a  person  by  the 
middle,  with  his  head  downwards,  and  jolt  him  round  till  one 
would  think  his  bowels  would  shake  out  of  his  mouth.  Some- 
times they  will  take  a  captive  by  the  hair  of  the  head,  and 
stooping  him  forward,  strike  him  on  the  hack  and  shoulder, 
till  the  blood  gushes  out  of  his  mouth  and  nose.  Sometimes 
an  old  shrivelled  squaw  will  take  up  a  shovel  of  hot  embers 
and  throw  them  into  a  captive's  bosom.  If  he  cry  out,  the 
Indians  will  laugh  and  shout,  and  say,  "  What  a  brave  action 
our  old  grandmother  has  done."  Sometimes  they  torture  them 
with  whips,  &c. 

The  Indians  looked  on  me  with  a  fierce  countenance,  as 
much  as  to  say,  it  will  be  your  turn  next.  They  champed 
cornstalks,  which  they  threw  into  my  hat,  as  1  held  it  in  my 
hand.  I  smiled  on  them,  though  my  heart  ached.  I  looked 
on  one,  and  another,  but  could  not  perceive  that  any  eye  pitied 
me.  Presently  came  a  squaw  and  a  little  girl,  and  laid  down 
a  bag  of  corn  in  the  ring.  The  little  girl  took  me  by  the  hand, 
making  signs  for  me  to  go  out  of  the  circle  with  them.  Not 
knowing  their  custom,  1  supposed  they  designed  to  kill  me, 

*  When  they  gashed  his  naked  breast,  they  said  in  derision,  "  /  cross 
out  my  account.^* — Ed 

f  In  a  previous  note,  to  another  narrative,  I  have  referred  the  reader  to 
my  large  work,  (The  Book  of  the  Indians,)  where  all  the  ckcumstances 
of  this  shocking  affair  are  detailed. — Ed. 


I 


JOHN  GYLES'    CAPTIVITY. 


81 


•e,  as 
mped 
1  my 
)oked 

)itied 
Idown 

land, 

Not 

|1  me, 

cross 

ler  to 
lances 


and  rofusod  to  pfo.  TIkmi  a  cfmvc  Iti(li;\M  mino  and  iravo  mo  a 
short  pip''.  !»ii(l  Miiil  in  l'iiiirli>li,  "  Smi»kc  it  ;"  iIk'M  lie  took  mo 
by  till'  liiuid  ami  IimI  iiu'  out.  My  li'-iut  :iiIhmI,  tliiiilviiii;  my* 
soil"  m'itr  my  <mi'1.  Hut  h*'  carriod  me  nt  a  KnMich  hut,  alxmt 
a  niih'  iVom  the  liuliaM  Tort.  'I'I'.c  {''ranchman  was  not  at 
hom»',  hilt  his  wile,  who  was  a  scjuaw,  hml  some  di-conrsf  with 
my  Indian  iViontl,  which  1  did  not  undcr^^tand.  We  tarried 
about  two  hours,  then  rcturni'd  to  the  Iiulian  villaijo,  wIuti^ 
llicv  ffavc  mo  somo  victuals.  Not  loni,'' after  this  1  ssiw  one  of 
my  fellow-captives,  who  uravo  mo  a  melanch(dy  account  of 
their  sutrerini,'"s  after  I  left  them. 

After  some  wee|<s  had  j)a>sed,  \yo  jell  this  vilhiL'e  and  went 
up  St.  .If)hn's  river  about  ten  miles,  to  a  branch  called  Mrtlnrk- 
scrnecfisis,  where  there  was  one  wii'wam.  .At  our  arrival  an 
old  scpiaw  saluteil  nie  with  a  yell,  taKinir  uie  by  the  hair  and 
one  hand,  but  1  was  so  r'ide  as  to  break  her  hold  and  free 
myself.  Slu^  u^ave  me  ii  lililiy  trrin.  and  the  Indians  set  up  a 
lantrh,  and  so  it  ])a>sed  over.  Here  we  lived  upon  (ish,  wild 
grajx's.  roots,  ice,  which  was  hard  livi;ic  to  me. 

When  tin?  winter  came  on  wo  went  up  the  river,  till  the 
ice  came  down,  ruiminuf  thick'  in  the  river,  when,  according 
to  the  Indian  custom,  we  laid  up  our  canoes  till  sprincf.  Then 
we  travelled  sometimes  on  the  ice,  and  sometimes  on  the  land, 
till  we  came  to  a  river  that  was  open,  but  not  fordable,  where 
wo  made  a  raft,  and  passed  over,  Im'j;  and  baij:^aij(\  I  met 
with  no  abuse  from  them  in  this  winter's  hunting,  thoutrh  I  was 
put  to  great  hardships  in  carrying  burdens  and  for  want  of  food. 
But  they  underwent  the  same  diniculty,  and  w(nild  often 
encourage  me,  saying,  in  broken  English,  "}iy  and  hy  ^nat 
deal  //loose.'"  Yet  they  could  not  answer  any  question  I  asked 
them.  And  knowing  little  of  their  customs  and  way  of  life,  I 
thousrht  it  tedious  to  be  constantly  moving  from  place  to  place, 
though  it  might  be  in  some  respects  an  advantaire  ;  for  it  ran 
still  in  my  minrl  that  we  wer(>  travelling  to  some  settlement; 
and  when  my  burden  was  over-heavy,  and  the  Indians  left 
me  behind,  and  the  still  oviMiing  coming  on,  1  fancied  I  could 
see  thronc^h  the  bushes,  and  hear  the  people  of  some  great 
town  ;  which  hope,  though  some  supjiort  to  me  in  the  day, 
yi    I  found  not  the  town  at  night. 

Thus  we  were  huntinir  three  hundred  miles^  from  the  sea, 
and  knew  no  man  within  fifty  or  sixty  miles  of  us.  We  were 
eight  or  ten  in  number,  and  had    but  two  guns,  on    which   we 

*A  p.ardonahle  error,  perlinps.  considerinp:  tlie  author's  ij^norance  of  Ihr 
geo<,'raphy  of  tlic  country.      He   could  hardly  have   ijot  thrco  huudrc 
miles  Iroin  the  mouth  of  the  Penobscot,  in  a  northerly  direction,  withoia 
crossins;  the  St.  Lawrence.— Ed. 


!■ 


82 


JOHN  GYLES'    CAPTIVITY. 


wholly  depended  for  food.  If  any  disaster  had  happened,  we 
must  all  have  perished.  Sometinios  we  had  no  nmiincr  of  sus- 
tenance for  three  or  four  days  ;  hut  God  wonderfully  provides 
for  all  creatures.  In  one  of  these  fasts,  God's  providence 
was  remarkahle.  Our  two  hulian  men,  who  had  iruns,  in 
huntini^  started  a  moose,  but  there  being'  a  shallow  crusted 
snow  on  the  ground,  and  the  niooso  disc^^eriniL'-  thcin,  ran  with 
great  force  into  a  swamp.  The  Indians  went  round  the  swamp, 
and  finding  no  track,  returned  at  night  to  the  wigwam,  a"d 
told  wuat  had  happened.  The  next  morning  they  followed 
him  on  the  track,  and  soon  found  him  lying  on  the  snow.  He 
had,  in  crossing  the  roots  of  a  large  tree,  that  had  been  blown 
down,  broken  through  the  ice  made  over  the  water  in  the  hole 
occasioned  by  the  roots  of  the  trc>e  taking  up  the  L'"round,  and 
hitched  one  of  his  hind  legs  among  the  roots,  so  fast  that  by 
striving  to  get  it  out  he  pulled  his  thigh  bone  out  of  its  socket 
at  the  hip  ;  and  thus  extraordinarily  were  we  provided  for  in 
our  great  strait.  Sometimes  they  would  take  a  bear,  which 
go  into  dens  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  without  any  sort  of 
food,  and  lie  there  four  or  five  months  without  food,  njver 
going  out  till  spring;  in  which  time  they  neither  lose  nor 
gain  in  flesh.  If  they  went  into  their  dens  fat  they  came  out 
so,  and  if  they  went  in  lean  they  came  out  lean.  1  liave  seen 
some  which  have  come  out  with  four  whelps,  and  both  very 
fat,  and  then  we  feasted.  An  old  sijuavv  and  a  captive,  if  any 
present,  must  stand  without  the  wigwam,  shaking  their  hands 
and  bodies  as  in  a  dance,  and  singing,  "  Weoagk  oh  nelo 
won,"  which  in  English  is,  "  Fat  is  my  eating."  This  is  to 
signify  their  thankfulness  in  feasting  times.  When  one  supply 
was  spent  we  fasted  till  further  success. 

The  way  they  preserve  meat  is  by  taking  the  flesh  from  the 
bones  and  drying  it  in  smoke,  by  which  it  is  kept  sound 
months  or  years  without  salt.  We  moved  still  further  up 
the  country  after  moose  when  our  store  was  out,  so  that  by 
the  spring  we  had  got  to  the  northward  of  the  Lady  mour.- 
tains."^  When  the  spring  came  and  the  rivers  broke  up,  we 
moved  back  to  the  head  of  St.  John's  river,  and  there  made 
canoes  of  moose  hides,  sewing  three  or  four  together  and 
pitching  the  seams  with  balsam  mixed  with  charcoal.  Then 
we  went  down  the  river  to  a  place  called  Madawescook.l  There 
an   old   man    lived   and    kept  a  sort    of  triuling   house,  w^here 

*  If  these  arc  the  same  tlie  French  call."!!  I^Tonts  Xofre  D/tmr,  our  cap- 
tive was  now  on  the  borders  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  to  ihe  north  of  the  head 
of  the  bay  of  Chalctus. — Ed. 

I  Probably  the  now  well-known  Mndawasca,  of  ••  disputed  territory"' 
memory. 


i 


f 


w 

w 

pf 

ot 
(U 
(li 
A 
ca 


\ 


ned,  we 
•  of  sus- 
)rovi(les 
ividence 
nuns,  in 

crustod 
an  witli 
swamp, 
am,  a"d 
lollowed 
w.  He 
n  blown 
the  liolo 
ind,  and 
thai  by 
[s  socket 
d  for  in 
r,  whicb 

sort  of 
d,  never 
lose  nor 
a  me  out 
ivo  seen 
)th  very 

,  if  any 

r  hands 

)II    IS'ELO 

lis   is  to 
supply 

rom  the 

t  sound 

ther  up 

that   by 

niov.- 

up,  we 

>  made 

er  and 

Then 

There 

where 


on  I  eap- 
ihe  head 


erritory  ' 


JOHN  GYLES'    CAPTIVITY. 


83 


t 


\ 


we  tarried  several  days;  then  went  fartlif-r  down  the  river  till 
we  canif  to  the  irreatest  falls  in  these  parts,  called  Checanolce- 
pearr,  where  vve  carried  a  little  way  over  the  land,  and  puitinir 
otf  our  canoers  we  went  down-stream  still.  And  as  we  passed 
down  by  tlie  mouths  of  any  larin*  branches,  we  saw  In- 
dians ;  but  when  any  dance  was  proposed,  I  was  boui^ht  ofT. 
At  length  we  arrived  at  the  place  where  we  left  our  birch 
canoes  in  the  fall,  and  pitttinir  our  baggage  into  them,  went 
down  to  the  fort. 

There  we  planted  corn,  and  after  planting  went  a  fishing, 
and  to  look  for  and  dig  roots,  till  the  corn  was  fit  to  weed. 
After  weeding  we  took  a  second  lour  on  th(^  same  errand,  then 
returned  to  hi  our  corn.  After  hilling  we  went  some  dis- 
tance from  the  fort  and  field,  up  the  river,  to  take  salmon  and 
other  fish,  which  we  dried  for  food,  where  we  continued  till 
corn  was  filled  with  milk;  some  of  it  we  dried  then,  the  other 
as  it  ripened.  To  dry  corn  when  in  the  milk,  they  gather  it 
in  large  kettles  and  boil  it  on  the  ears,  till  it  is  pretty  hard, 
then  .  11  it  from  the  cob  with  clam-shells,  and  dry  it  on  bark 
in  the  ^an.  When  it  is  thoroughly  dry,  a  kernel  is  no  bigger 
than  u  pea,  and  would  keep  ve^rs,  and  when  it  is  boiled  again 
it  swells  as  large  as  when  on  the  ear,  and  tastes  incomparably 
sweeter  than  other  corn.  When  we  had  gathered  our  corn 
and  dried  it  in  the  way  already  desrribed,  we  put  some  into 
Indian  barns,  that  is,  into  holes  in  the  ground,  lined  and  cov- 
ered with  bark,  and  then  with  dirt.  The  rest  we  carried  up 
the  river  upon  our  next  wintf  's  hunting.  Thus  God  wonder- 
fully favored  me,  and  carri  l  me  through  the  first  year  of  my 
captivity. 

Chapter  II. — Of  the  abusive  and  barbarous  treatmeyit  which 
severa'i  captives  met  with  from  the  Indians.  Wh(m  any  great 
number  of  Indians  met,  or  when  any  captives  had  been  lately 
taken,  or  when  any  captives  desert  and  are  retaken,  they  have 
a  dance,  and  torture  the  Muhappy  people  who  have  fallen  into 
their  hands.  My  unfortunate  brother,  who  was  taken  with 
me,  after  about  three  years'  captivity,  deserted  with  another 
Englishman,  who  had  been  taken  from  Casco  Bay,  and  was 
retaken  Ijy  the  Indians  at  New  Harbor,  and  carried  back  to 
Penobscot  fort.  Here  they  were  both  tortured  at  a  stake  by 
fire,  for  some  time  ;  then  their  noses  and  cars  were  cut  ofF, 
and  they  made  to  eat  them.  After  this  they  wore  burnt  to 
death  at  the  stake  ;  the  Indians  at  the  same  time  declaring 
that  they  would  serve  all  deserters  in  the  same  manner.  Thus 
they  divert  themselves  in  their  dances. 

On  the  second  spring  of  my  captivity,  my  Indian  master  and 


84 


JOHN   GYLES'    CAPTIVITY. 


his  pqiifiw  wont  to  Canada,  l)Ut  sent  nic  dnwn  the  river  with 
sevoral  Indians  to  the  iorl,  to  plant  corn.  The  dav  hefore  we 
came  to  the  j)lanlin'j^  i^i-onnd,  we  met  two  yt'inur  Indian  men, 
who  seemed  to  be  in  irvcat  haste.  After  they  had  pa;^sed  us, 
1  understood  they  were  i^oing  will  an  express  to  Canada,  and 
that  there  was  an  Enf^lish  vc^ssel  at  the  monlh  of  the  river.  I 
not  l)eint;'  perfect  m  their  lan<Tiiag-e,  nor  knowin":  that  Enf^'-lish 
vessels  traded  with  them  in  time  of  war,  snj)posed  a  j)eace  was 
conchided  on,  and  that  the  captives  would  be  released  ;  I  was 
so  transported  with  this  fancy,  that  I  slept  but  little  if  any  that 
night.  Ji^arly  tin*  next  morning  we  came  to  the  village,  where 
my  ecstacy  ended  ;  for  1  had  no  sooner  landed,  but  three  or 
four  Indians  dragged  me  to  the  great  wigwam,  where  they 
were  yelling  and  dancing  round  James  Alexander,  a  Jersey 
man,  who  was  taken  from  Falmouth,  in  Casco  Bay.  This 
was  occasioned  by  two  families  of  Cape  Sable  Indians,  who, 
having  lost  some  friends  by  a  number  of  English  fishermen, 
came  some  hundreds  of  miles  to  revenge  themselves  on  poor 
captives.  They  soon  came  to  me,  and  tossed  me  about  till  I 
was  almost  l)rcathless,  and  then  threw  me  into  the  ring  to  my 
fellow-captive  ;  and  taking  him  out,  repeated  their  barbarities 
on  him.  Then  I  was  hauled  out  again  by  three  Indians,  who 
seized  me  by  the  hair  of  the  head  ;  and  bending  me  down  by 
my  hair,  one  beat  me  on  tht^  back  and  shoulders  so  long  that 
my  breath  was  almost  beat  out  of  my  body.  Then  others  put 
a  tomhake^  [tomahawk]  into  my  hands,  and  ordered  me  to  get 
up  and  sing  and  dance  Indian,  which  I  performed  with  the 
greatest  reluctance,  and  while  in  the  act,  seemed  determined 
to  j)urchasr  my  death,  by  killing  two  or  three  of  thn.-e  monsters 
of  cruelty,  thiidcing  it  impossible  to  survive  their  bloody  treat- 
ment; hut  it  was  impressed  on  my  mind  that  it  was  not  in 
their  power  to  take  away  my  life,  so  I  desisted. 

Then  those  Cape  Sable  Indians  came  to  me  airain  like  bears 
bereaved  of  their  whelps,  saying,  •'  Shall  W(\  who  have  lost 
relations  by  the  English,  suffer  an  Enulish  voice  to  be  heard 
among  us?"  (Sec      Then  they  beat  me  again  with  the   axe. 

*  The  (nmhake  is  a  wnrliko  rlul\  the  shape  of  which  in;iy  he  seen  ia  cuts 
o^  Etowoukoam.  one  of  the  four  Iridiau  cliiefs,  which  cuts  are  cornrnoa 
aniontrst  us.  [INTr.  Gyles  refers  to  the  lour  Iroquois  chiefs,  who  visited 
Ent(huid  in  the  rcisrn  of  Queen  Anne.  About  those  chiefs  1  liave  collect- 
ed and  pnbhshed  the  particulars  in  the  Book  of  the  ludiinis.  And  I  will 
here  remark  llial  the  couipilers  of  the  jionderous  I/idia/i  l^inaidii/ii/  and 
Histnri/,  now  in  course  of  publication,  under  the  names  of  .lames  Hall 
and  T.  L.  INriveiuiv.  have  horrnn-id  mv  labors  with  no  sparine^;  ii  uid — they 
have  not  even  owneil  it  ;  having  no  iaith.  probably,  that  by  so  dome;  ihey 
might  pay  half  the  debt.  "  He  who  steals  my  purse  steals  trash,"  but  he 
who  robs  mc  of  my  labors  — Ed. J 


er  with 
fore  wc 
111  men, 
-sod  us, 
(lii,  and 
vor.      1 
[ilni^lish 
ace  was 
;  1  was 
my  that 
,  where 
ihrec  or 
re  they 
,  Jersey 
.     This 
lis,  who, 
hermen, 
on  poor 
out  till  I 
ig  to  my 
rbarities 
ms,  who 
down  by 
onij  that 
liors  put 
le  10  f^et 
tith   the 
mined, 
lonstcrs 
V  treat- 
not  in 

ce  bears 
ave  lost 
heard 
IK'   axe. 

Ml  in  cuts 
cuinrnoa 
lo  visited 
■(•  t'oUect- 
iiui  1  will 
;7?/»//y  and 
Ill's  Hnll 
ml— ilu'y 
nine;  ihey 
'  but  he 


er 


JOHN  GYLES'  CAPTTVFTY. 


85 


Now  1  repented  that  I  had  not  sent  two  or  tlireo  of  tliem  out 
of  the  world  before  me,  for  I  thonirht  I  had  innrh  rather  die 
than  siifTcr  anv  h)n'j't'r.  They  left  nie  thf'  second  time,  and  the 
othor  Indimis  put  the  toiiihake  into  niv  linnds  a'jfain,  and  com- 
pelled me  to  s{u<^.  Then  I  secined  more  resolute  than  lieforc 
to  destroy  soim^  of  thcin  ;  but  a  strang^e  and  stroiii^  imj)ulse 
that  I  should  return  to  my  own  place  and  people  siijipressed 
it,  as  often  as  such  a  motion  rose  in  my  breast.  Not  one  of 
them  showed  the  least  compassion,  but  I  saw  the  tears  run 
down  phintifully  on  the  cluM'ks  of  a  Frenchman  who  sat  b(diind, 
thouLifh  it  did  not  alleviate  the  tortures  that  po(n'  James  and  I 
were  forced  to  endure  for  the  most  part  of  this  ti'dious  day; 
for  they  were  continued  till  the  evenincr,  and  wore  the  most 
severe  that  ever  I  met  with  in  the  whole  six  years  that  1  was 
a  captive  with  the  Indians. 

After  they  had  thus  inhumaidy  ahused  us,  two  Indians  took 
us  up  and  threw  us  out  of  the  wicfwam.  and  we  crawled  away 
on  our  hands  and  feet,  and  were  scarce  able  to  walk  for  several 
days.  Some  time  after  they  ao^ain  concluded  on  a  merry 
dance,  when  I  was  at  some  distance  from  t'  >>  wigwam  dressing 
leather,  and  an  Indian  was  so  kind  as  to  tell  me  that  they  had 
got  James  Alexander,  and  were  in  search  for  me.  I\Iy  Indian 
master  and  his  squaw  bid  me  run  for  my  life  into  a  swamp  and 
hide,  and  not  to  discover  myself  unless  they  both  came  to  me; 
for  then  I  miufht  be  assured  the  dance  was  over.  I  was  now 
master  of  their  lana■uag(^  and  a  word  or  a  wink  was  enough 
to  excite  me  to  take  care  of  one.  I  ran  to  the  swamp,  and  hid 
in  the  thickest  place  I  could  find.  I  heard  hallooing  and 
whoopincf  all  around  me;  sometimes  some  passed  very  near 
me,  and  I  could  henr  some  threaten  and  others  flattc'r  me,  but 
I  was  not  disposed  to  dance.  If  they  had  come  upon  me,  I 
had  resolved  to  show  them  a  pair  of  beds,  aii'l  tlnn'  must  have 
had  good  luck  to  have  catched  me.  I  heard  no  more  of  them 
till  about  evening,  for  I  think  I  slept,  when  they  came  again, 
callimr,  "Chon!  Chon!"  bui  John  would  not  trust  them. 
After  they  were  gone,  my  master  and  his  stpiaw  came  where 
they  told  me  to  hide,  but  could  not  find  me  ;  and,  when  I  h(»ard 
theni  say,  with  some  concern,  they  believed  tln^  otln^r  Indians 
had  friirhtened  m.e  into  the  woods,  and  thai  I  was  lost,  I  came 
out,  and  they  seemed  well  pleased.  They  told  me  James  had 
had  a  had  day  of  it  ;  that  as  soon  as  he  was  released  he  ran 
away  into  the  woods,  and  they  believed  he  was  gone  to  the 
Mohawks,  James  soon  returned,  and  gave  a  melancholy  ac- 
count of  his  sufferings,  and  the  Indians's  fright  concerning  the 
Mohawks  passed  over.  They  often  had  terrilile  apprehensions 
of  the  incursions  of  those  Indians.  They  are  called  also  Ma- 
8 


86 


JOHN  GYLES'  CAPTIViTV 


I    \ 


quasy  ii  most  ambitions,  liaunlity  aiul  blood -thirsty  people,  from 
whom  the  other  Indians  take  their  iiieasuifs  and  iii.i.uiLrs,  and 
the'r  modes  and  (liant^i's  oi'  dress,  (Scr.  U;:l  wry  hut  scson, 
a  "Teat  nund)er  ij^alL'ercd  toirother  at  the  vilhisre,  and  bemi^  a 
very  ch'on(j;-hty  [ihirstyj  prniple,  they  kept  James  -iWii  '.nysclf 
ni^'ln  and  (hiy  letcdiinir  water  from  a  cohl  sprinu,  that  ran  out 
of  a  roi'ky  liill  about  tliree  qnarters  of  a  mile  from  tiie  fort,  in 
goini^'  thither,  we  crossed  a  larc^e  interval  cornfield,  and  then  a 
descent  to  a  lower  interval,  before  we  ascended  the  hill  to  the 
sj)rini!-.  James  beinn'  almost  dead,  as  well  as  I,  with  this  con- 
tinual fatiLHie,  contrived  to  frii,''ht(>n  the  Indians.  He  told  me  of 
his  plan,  bnt  conjured  me  to  secrecy,  yet  said  he  knew  i  ccnild 
keep  counsel  !  The  next  dark  ni<,dit,  James,  going-  for  water, 
set  Ills  kettle  down  on  the  descent  to  the  lowest  interval,  and 
running;  back  to  the  fort,  pufUng  and  blowing'  as  though  in  the 
utmost  surj)rise,  told  his  master  that  he  saw  sometiiing  near 
the  spring  that  looked  lilce  Mohawks,  (which  were  only  stun)ps.) 
His  master,  being  a  most  courageous  warrior,  went  with  liim 
to  make  discovery.  AVhen  they  canie  to  the  lirow  of  the  hill, 
James  pointed  to  the  stumps,  and  withal  touching  bis  kettle 
with  his  toe,  irave  it  motion  down  the  hill  ;  at  cverv  turn  its 
bail  clattered,  which  caused  James  and  his  master  to  see  a 
Mohawk  in  every  stump,  and  they  lost  no  time  in  "  turning- 
tall  to,"  and  he  was  the  best  fellow  who  could  ruri  the  fastest. 
This  alarmed  all  the  Indians  in  the  village.  They  were  about 
thirty  or  forty  in  number,  and  they  packed  off,  bag  and 
baggage,  some  up  the  river  and  others  down,  and  did  not 
return  under  lifteen  days  ;  and  then  the  heat  of  (he  weather 
being  finally  over,  our  hard  service  was  abated  for  this  season. 
I  never  heard  that  the  Indians  understood  the  occasion  of  their 
fright ;  but  James  and  I  had  many  a  private  laugh  about  it. 

But  my  most  intimate  ..nu  dear  companion  was  one  John 
Evans,  a  young  n'an  takei'  'ivn  Quochecho.  We,  as  often  as 
wo  could,  met  tog-ether,  and  made  known  our  grievances  to 
each  other,  which  seemed  to  ease  our  minds;  but,  as  soon  as 
it  was  known  by  the  Indians,  v.e  were  strictly  examined  apart, 
and  falsely  accused  of  contrivint:  to  desert.  We  were  too  far 
from  tlie  sea  to  have  any  thought  of  that,  and  findihg  our  sto- 
ries agreed,  did  not  punish  us.  Aji  English  captive  girl  about 
this  tiine,  who  was  taken  by  ]\Iedocawando,  wo.dd  often  false- 
ly accuse  us  of  plotting  to  desert ;  but  we  made  the  truth  so 
plainly  appear,  tliat  she  was  checked  and  wo  were  released. 
But  the  third  winter  of  my  ci.ptivity,  John  Evans  went  into 
the  country,  and  the  Indians  imposed  a  heavy  burden  on  him, 
v/hile  he  was  extremely  weak  from  long  fasting  ;  and  as  he 
was  going  oflf  the  upland  over  a  place  of  ice,  which  was  very 


I 


fr 


•"-■^'^''-'i 


^i',;^^-' 


i\o,  from 
ilTS,  ;ind 
.  ho.'.^on, 
i  bi'iui^  a 
I  Myself 
L  ran  out 
fort.  In 
(1  llicii  a 
ill  lo  I  lie 
this  con- 
Id  (lie  of 
'  i  could 
)r  wafer, 
"val,  and 
^h  in  the 
ingf  near 
stumps.) 
\itli  him 

the  hill, 
is  kettle 

turn  its 

to  see  a 
''  turn i no- 
3  fastest, 
re  about 

a^-  and 
lid  not 
weather 

season. 

of  their 

ut  it. 

le  John 
often  as 

nces  to 

soon  as 

I  ajiart, 
too  far 

)ur  sto- 
rl  about 

II  false- 
ruth  so 
leased. 

?nt  into 
:)n  him, 
as  he 
as  very 


I 


lOIlN  GYLES'   CAPTIVITY. 


a? 


hollow,  he  broke  thronirh,  fell  ('own,  and  cut  his  knee  very 
much.  Notwith-tandini!:,  he  tra'. (,''K'd  tor  some  time,  nut  tin. 
wind  and  i-old  were  so  forcibh',  that  they  soon  overcame  him, 
and  he  :at  or  fell  down,  and  all  the  Indians  passed  by  him. 
Soim^  of  ihem  went  iiack  the  next  day  aft<M'  him,  or  his  pack, 
and  found  him,  with  a  tloo-  in  his  arms,  both  froztni  to  death. 
Thus  all  oi  my  fellow-captives  were  dispc'rsed  and  dead,  but 
through  inrmitf  and  unmerited  i>'oodiiess  I  was  supported  un- 
der and  carried  throuL,di  all  dilliculties. 

CuAi'Ti-.u  111. — Of  fiirlhrr  (I'/lJir  1(1  tics  and.  deliver  a  aces.  One 
winter,  as  we  u'ere  movintj"  from  place  to  placi',  our  bunteis 
killed  some  moose.  One  lyini>"  some  miles  from  our  wig- 
wams, a  voune-  Indian  and  myself  wer(^  ordered  to  letch  part 
of  it.  We  set  out  in  the  morniii'X,  when  the  weather  was 
promising,  but  it  proved  a  very  cold,  cloudy  day.  It  was  late 
in  the  evening-  before  we  arrived  at  the  place  where  the  inooso 
lay,  so  tlial  we  had  no  time  to  provide'  materials  for  fire  or 
•^belter.  At  the  same  time  came  on  a  storm  of  snow,  very 
thick,  which  continued  until  the  next  morninL,^  We  made  a 
small  lire  with  what  little  rubbish  we  could  find  around  \\n. 
The  lire,  with  the  warmth  of  our  bodies,  melted  the  snow  upon 
us  as  fast  as  it  fell ;  and  so  our  clotlies  were  fillcMl  with  water. 
However,  early  in  the  mornini]-  we  took  our  loads  of  moose 
flesh,  and  set  out  to  return  to  our  wiij^wams.  We  had  not 
travelled  far  before  iny  moose-skin  coat  (which  was  the  only 
;CiCarmeiit  I  had  on  my  back,  and  the  hair  chiefly  worn  olf)  was 
frozen  siiii'  romid  my  knees,  like  a  hoop,  as  were  my  snow- 
shoes  and  shoe-clouts  to  my  feel.  Tims  I  marched  the  wh  'g 
day  without  lire  or  food.  At  first  I  was  in  n-reat  pain,  th'  w 
my  flesh  became  numb,  and  at  times  I  felt  extremely  sick'.  .1 
thoui^dil  I  could  not  travel  one  foot  farther;  but  I  wonderi.ilv 
revived  again. 

After  long  trav(dling  I  felt  very  drowsy,  and  had  thoughts  of 
sitting  down,  which  had  I  done,  without  doubt  I  had  lal'  w 
on  my  final  sleep,  as  my  dear  companion,  Evans,  had  done 
before.  My  Indian  companion,  being  belter  clothed,  had  left 
me  long  before.  Aijain  my  spirits  revived  as  much  as  if  I 
haii  received  the  richest  cordial.  Some  hours  after  sunset  I 
reached  the  wigwam,  and  crawling  in  with  my  snow-shoes  on, 
the  Indians  cried  out,  "  The  captive  i--  frozen  to  death  !"  They 
took  off  my  pack,  and  the  place  where  that  lay  against  my 
back  was  the  only  one  that  was  not  frozen.  They  cut  off  my 
shoes,  and  stripped  off  the  clout.s  from  my  feet,  which  were  as 
void  of  feeling  as  any  frozen  flesh  could  be.  I  had  not  sat 
long  by  the  fire  before  the  blood  began  to  circulate,  and  my 


88 


JOiJN  GVLES'   CAPTIVITY. 


i 


'V. 


?1 


i^ 


feet  to  my  Jinkles  lunied  black,  and  swclk'd  with  bloody  blis- 
ters, and  were  inexpressibly  paiiil'iil.  The  Indians  said  one 
to  anoibcr,  ''  His  feel  will  roi,  and  he  will  die."  Yel  i  slept 
well  al  ni<^hl.  Soon  after,  the  skin  t-anie  off  my  leet  from  my 
kle.>,  whole,  like   a  >hoe,  leavini?  my  toes   naked,  without  a 


ail 


nail,  aiK. 


1  tl 


le  end 


t  my  irreat  toe  bones  bare,  winch,  m  a  little 
lime,  turned  black,  so  that  1  was  obliged  t(»  cut  the  lirst  joint 
uU'with  my  knii'e.  The  Indians  gave  me  rai^s  to  bind  up  my 
leet,  and  advised  me  to  apply  fir  balsam,  but  withal  added  that 
they  believed  it  was  not  worth  while  to  use  means,  lor  I  should 
certainly  die.  But,  by  the  use  of  my  elbows,  and  a  stick  in 
each  hand,  1  shoved  myself  along  as  I  sat  upon  the  irround 
over  the  snow  from  one  tree  to  another,  till  1  i^ol  some  balsam. 


This  I  b 


<hell  till  it 


)f 


like 


lis  1  i)urnea  m  a  ciam-stieii  till  it  was  ot  a  consistence  in 
salve,  which  I  applied  to  my  feet  and  ankles,  and,  by  the  di- 
vine blessing,  within  a  week  1  could  go  al)out  uj)on  my  heels 
with  my  stair.  And,  through  God's  goodness,  we  had  pro- 
visions enough,  so  that  we  did  not  remove  under  ten  or  fifteen 
days.  Then  the  Iiuiiaiis  made  two  little  hoops,  something  in 
the  form  ot  a  snow-shoe,  and  sewing  them  to  my  feet,  I  was 
able  to  follow  them  in  their  tracks,  on  my  heels,  from  place  to 
place,  though  sometimes  half  leg  deep  in  snow  and  water, 
whit  h  gave  me  the  most  acute  pain  imaginable  ;  but  I  must 
walk  or  die.  Yet  within  a  year  my  feet  were  entirely  well; 
and  the  nails  came  on  my  great  toes,  so  that  a  very  critical  eye 
could  scarcely  perceive  any  part  missing,  or  that  they  had  been 
frozen  at  all. 

Ifi  a  time  of  great  scarcity  of  provisions,  the  Indians  chased 
a  large  moose  into  the  river,  and  killed  him.  They  brought 
the  llcish  to  the  village,  and  raised  it  on  a  scaflbld,  in  a  Inrge 
wigwam,  in  o'der  to  make  a  feast.  I  was  very  ollicious  in 
supplying  them  with  wood  and  water,  which  pleased  them  so 
well  th:  t  thi'y  now  and  then  gave  me  a  piece  of  flesh  half 
boiled  or  roasted,  which  1  ate  with  eagerness,  and  I  doubt  not 
without  due  thankfulness  to  the  divine  Being  who  so  extra- 
ordinarily fed  me.  At  length  the  scallold  bearing  the  moose 
meat  broke,  and  I  being  under  it,  a  large  piece  fell,  and  knock- 
ed me  on  the  head.'*^  The  Indians  said  1  lay  stunned  a  con- 
siderabli  time.  The  first  I  was  sensible  of  was  a  murmuring 
noise  in  my  ears,  then  my  sight  gradually  returned,  with  an 
extreme  paj.*  in  my  hand,  which  was  very  much  bruised  ;  and 
it  was  leog  before  I  recover»>d,  the  weather  being  verv  hot. 

I  vas  once  fishing  with  an  Indian  for  sturgeon,  and  the 
Indian  darting  one,  his  feet  slipped,  and  he  turned  the  canoe 

iinber  of  the  scaflbld,  o 


struck  by 


quantity 


the  meat  or.  it,  we  are  M\  to  conjecture,  and  it  is  not  very  mnterial. — Ed 


al 

b 


Tl 

b! 

\\| 

u 


JOHN  GYLES'  CAPTIVITY. 


89 


based 
•rouoht 
Inrge 
ions  in 
cm  so 
half 
3t  not 
extra- 
inoose 
Mock- 
a  con- 
niring 
th  an 
and 
>t. 

d  the 
"anoe 

iity  of 
—Ed. 


bottom  upward,  with  me  imder  it.     I  iicld  fast  to  tlie  cross-bar, 
as  I  could  not  swiiri.  with  mv  lacn  to  the  bottom  of  tlir  canoo  ; 
hut  iiiniiiiu'  mv^<^df,  1  brouohl  my  brt^isl   to   Itcar  on  the  cross- 
bar, expoctiniT  every  minute  the  Indian  to  low  mo  to  the  liank. 
Bni  *'  he   had   other  fish   to  fry."     Thus  I  continued   a  (]U;irt(>r 
ol   an  hour,   [tboutrhl  wiiho\it   want  of  breath,  till   the  cu'-rent 
drove    me    on    a    rocky   point    where    I    could    reach   bottom. 
Tlure  1  stopped,  and  turned  up  my  canoe.      On  looking  about 
for  tin-  Indinii,  1  saw   him    hiilf  a  mile   off  up  the   river.      On 
fi-oing  to  !iim,  I  a;  k-.d  him  why  lie   had  not   towed  me  to  the 
bank,  seein<x  he  knew  I  could  not  swim.      He  said  he  knew  I 
was  under  the  canoe,  for  there  were   no   bubbles  any  where  to 
be  seen,  and  that  1  should  dilve  oii  the  point.     So  while  he  was 
takinir  care  of  his  tine  sturgeon,  which  was  eight  or  ten  feet  in 
length,  I  was  left  to  sink  or  swim. 

Once,  as  we  were  fishing  for  salmon  at  a  fall  of  about  fifteen 
feet  of  water,  1  came  near  being  drownded  in  a  deep  hole  at 
the  foot  of  the  fa!l.  The  Indians  went  into  the  water  tf>  wash 
themselves,  and  asked  me  to  go  with  them.  I  told  them  I 
could  not  swim,  but  they  insisted,  and  so  I  went  in.  They 
ordered  me  to  dive  across  the  deepest  place,  and  if  I  fell  short 
of  the  other  side  they  said  they  would  help  me.  But,  instead 
of  diving  across  the  narrowest  part,  I  was  crawling  on  the  bot- 
tom into  the  deepest  place.  They  )iot  seeing  mo  rise,  and 
knowing  whereabouts  I  was  by  the  bubbling  of  the  water,  a 
young  girl  dived  down,  and  brought  me  up  by  the  hair,  other- 
wise I  had  perished  in  the  water.  Though  the  Indians,  both 
male  and  female,  go  into  the  water  together,  they  have  each 
of  them  such  covering  on  that  not  the  least  indecency  can  be 
observed,  and  neither  chastity  nor  modesty  is  violated. 

While  at  the   Indian  village,   I   had  been  cti'ting  wood  and 
binding  it  up  with  an   Indian  lope.  in  order  to  carry  it  to  the 
wigwam;  a  stout,  ill-natured  young  fellow,  abotit  twenty  years 
of  age,  threw  me   backward,  sat  on  my  breast,  pulled  out  his 
knife,  and  said  he  would  kill  me,  for  he  had   never  yet  killed 
one  of  the  English.      I  told  him  he  might  go  to  war,  ami  that 
would  be  more  maidy  than  to  kill  a  poor  captive  who  was  do- 
ing their  drudgery  for  them.     Notwithstanding  all  I  rould  say, 
be  began  to  cut    «  id  slab  me  on    my  breast.      I  seized  him  by 
the  hair,  and  tomhling  lurn  oif  of  me,  followed  him  with  my 
fists    and    knee    with    such    application     that    he    soon    cried 
"enough."     But  when  I  saw  the  blood  run  from  my  bosom,  and* 
felt  the  smart  of  the  wounds  he  had  given  me,  I  at  him  again, 
and  bid  him  get  up,  and  not  lie  there   like  a  dog;   told  him  of 
his  fornv  :■  abuses  offered   to  me,  and  other  poor  captives,  and 
that  if  ever  he  oflered  the  like  to  me  again,  I  would  pay  him 
8* 


90 


JOHN   GYLES'   CArilVITY. 


\\^ 


i  I 


double.  I  sei»t  him  brfore  me,  and  Ijtkiiijr  up  my  burden  of 
wood,  cauie  to  the  ludiuu-s,  und  told  ihctn  the  whole  truth, 
and  lliey  conunemled  nie.  And  I  (b»  not  rt'nuMubcr  tluU  evir 
he  otiered  Mie  the  b'ii-t  aliu^e  al'lerwards,  though  he  was  big 
enough  to  have  des])ati-hed  two  ol'  me. 

CuAi'TER  IV. —  Of  rcinnrknhlc  events  of  rror'idmce  in  the 
deaths  of  several  iurharous  hulinns.      The   priest  of  this  river 
ler  (if  Si.  Francis,  a  <reull<'man   of  a  hunuiiie, 


was  o 


f  tl 


le  ore 


generous  disposUion 


in  h 


lis  sernu)n.s  lie  most  severely  repre 


bended  the  Indians  for  their  barbarities  to  capt'  -es.  Me  uoukl 
often  t(dl  tiiem  tha^  exceplinir  their  erroi.s  in  rehirion,  the  Enfjf- 
lisb  were  a  better  people  than  ihernselves,  and  that  (Jod  would 


d  had 


remarUahly  punish  .'sucli  cruel  wretches,  ana  nau  ne^niri  to  exe- 
cute his  vengeance  upon  suc'i  already  I  He  gave  an  account 
of  the  retaliations  of  i'rovidence  upon  those  murderous  Cape 
Sable  Indians  above  mentioned  ;  one  of  whom  got  a  splinter 
into  his  fool,  v, inch  festered  and  rotted  liis  flesh  till  it  killed 
him.  Anuther  run  a  fish-bone  into  her  hand  or  arm,  and  she 
rotted  to  death,  notwithstanding  all  means  that  were  nsed  to 
prevent  it.  In  some  sucii  manner  tliey  all  died,  so  that  not 
one  of  those  two  families  lived  to  return  hoine.*  Were  it  not 
for  these  remarks  of  the  priest,  I  had  not,  perhaps,  have  noticed 
these  providences. 

There  was  an  old  squaw  who  ever  endeavored  to  outdo  all 
others  in  cruelty  to  captives.  Wherever  she  came  into  a  wig- 
wam, wl.'ere  any  poor,  naked,  starved  captives  were  sitting 
near  the  fire,  if  they  were  grown  persons,  she  would  stealthily 
take  up  a  sho.el  of  hot  coals,  iind  throw  them  into  their  bo- 
soms. If  they  were  young  persons,  she  would  seize  them  by 
the  hand  or  leg,  dragf  them  through  the  fire,  &c.  The  Indians 
with  whom  she  lived,  according  to  their  custom,  left  their  vil- 
lage in  the  fall  of  the  year,  and  dispersed  themselves  fnr  hunt- 
ing. After  the  first  or  second  removal,  they  all  strangely  forgot 
that  old  squaw  and  her  grandstui,  about  twelve  years  of  age. 
They  were  found  dead  in  the  place  where  they  were  left  some 
months  afterwards,  and  no  farther  notice  was  taken  of  ilicm 
by  their  friends.  Of  this  the  priest  made  special  remark,  for- 
asmuch as  it  IS  a  thing  very  uncommon  for  them  to  neglect 
either  their  old  or  young  people. 

In  the  latter  part  of  summer,  or  beginning  of  autumn,  the 
Indians    were    frequently    frightened    by    the    appearance    of 

*  RefererK'e  is  probably  had  to  those  Indians,  oi'  whom  the  author  has 
before  .;  iken,  as  haviri<^  coiiie  to  the  fort  of  those  with  whom  he  was 
among,  to  be  reven^'ed  on  any  whites  for  the  loss  of  some  of  their  friends 
•who  had  been  killed  by  white' fishermen.— Ed. 


JOHN   GYLES"   CArilVITV. 


91 


If  Eiijjf- 


slranffe  Indian'^,  pnssiup"  up  and  down  this  river  in  ranoos, 
ami  aboul  that  liiiu'  the  next  yoar  (lii'(I  more  thiui  on*'  luui- 
(Ired  persons,  old  and  yoiiiit,''  ;  all,  or  most  of  those  who  siiw 
those  slraiifj^e  Indians  !  The  priest  said  it  was  ji  sort  of  planfue. 
A  f)erson  seeming"  in  perfect  health  wonld  bleed  at  the  month 
and  nose,  turn  blue  in  spots,  and  die  in  two  or  three  hours.* 
It  was  very  tedious  to  me  to  remove  from  plare  to  place  this 
colli  season.  The  Indians  applied  red  ochre  to  my  sores, 
[which  had  been  occasioned  by  the  alliay  Ixl'ore  mentioned,] 
which  by  Uod's  blessincf  cured  me.  This  sickness  beinq-  at 
the  worst  as  winter  came  on,  the  Indians  all  scattered  ;  and  the 
blow  was  so  nreat  to  them,  that  they  did  not  settle  or  j)lant  at 
their  villai^'^e  while  I  was  on  the  river,  [St.  Johns,]  anil  I  know 
not  whether  they  have  to  this  day,  Before  they  thus  deserted 
the  vi liaise,  when  they  catnc  in  from  bun tiuLT,  they  would  be  drunk 
and  light  for  several  days  and  nights  together,  till  they  had  spent 
most  of  their  skins  in  wine  and  brandy,  which  was  brought  to 
the  village  by  a  Frenchman  called  Monsieur  Sigcnioncovr. 


Ithily 
ir  bo- 
em  by 
dians 
ir  vil- 
hunt- 
brgot 
age. 
some 
I  hem 


if. 


Chapti:r  V. — Of  their  familiarity  ivith  and  frights  from 
the  derii,  &c.  The  Indians  are  very  often  sur{)rised  with  the 
appearance  of  ghosts  and  demons.  Sometimes  they  are  en- 
couraged by  the  devil,  for  they  go  to  him  for  success  in  hunt- 
inL^  &c.  1  was  once  hunting  with  Indians  who  were  not 
broug^hl  over  to  the  Romish  faith,  and  after  several  days  they 
proposed  to  inquire,  according"  to  their  custom,  what  success 
they  should  have.  They  accordingly  })repared  many  hot 
stones,  and  laying  them  in  a  heap,  made  a  small  hut  covered 
with  skins  and  mats  ;  then  in  a  dark  night  two  of  the  powwows 
went  into  this  hot  house  with  a  large  vessel  of  water,  which 
<it  times  they  poured  on  those  hot  rocks,  which  raised  a  thick 
steam,  so  that  a  third  Indian  was  obliffed  to  stand  without,  and 
lift  up  a  mat,  to  give  it  vent  when  they  were  almost  sulfocated. 
There  was  an  old  squaw  who  was  kind  to  captives,  and  never 
joiiii'd  with  them  in  their  powwowing,  to  whom  I  manifested 
an  earnest  desire  to  see  their  management.  She  told  me  that 
if  they  knew  of  my  being  there  they  would  kill  me,  and  that 
when  she  was  a  girl  she  had  known  young  persons  to  be 
taken  away  by  a  hairy  man,  and  therefore  she  would  not  advise 
me  to  go,  lest  the  hairy  man   should  carry  me   away.     I  told 

♦  Calamitous  mortalities  are  often  mentioned  as  happcnins:  amcnf;;  the 
Indians,  hut  that  the  appearance  of  strange  Indians  had  any  things  to  do 
with  It,  will  only  excite  admiration  to  the  enlightened  of  this  age.  It  v.'as 
liy  a  mortality  something  similar  that  the  country  about  the  coast  of 
]\lassachusetis  was  nearly  depopulated  two  or  three  years  before  the  settle- 
meni  of  Plymouth. — Ed. 


r 

92 

JOHN 

GYLES' 

CAPTIVITY. 

her 

T  was 

not  afpjiid  of  tlie  hairy 

man,  nor  cou 

Id  he 

hurt 

me  if                 M 

shf 

\V()U1( 

I  not  discover 

mo  to    tl 

If    powwows. 

At 

lemri 

h  she                  ^ 

proMiisfil 

me  she   woiih 

not,  but 

char^'cd    me 

to    h(> 

Cilie 

fill  of                   1 

my 

sole. 

I  went  within 

three  or 

four  feet  of  t 

lie  hi)1 

houi' 

M',  lor                   ■ 

it  was  very  dark,  and  heard  strantife  noises  and  yelliii<,rs,  such 
as  I  never  Jieard  heforo.  At  tiuMfs  the  Indian  who  tended 
without  would  lilt  up  the  mat,  and  a  steam  would  issue  whiidi 
looked  like  lire.  1  lay  there  two  or  three  hours,  hut  saw  none 
of  their  Imiry  men,  or  demons.  And  when  I  found  they  had 
fmished  their  cereuiony,  I  went  to  the  wiirwam,  and  told  ;he 
s'luavv  what  had  passed.  She  was  fjlad  J  had  escap<  <l  vvilhtau 
hurt,  and  never  discovered  what  I  liad  done.  After  some  time 
incpiiry  was  made  of  the  powwows  wliat  success  we  were 
likely  to  have  in  our  huntin"'.  They  said  they  had  very 
likely  siij^ns  of  success,  but  no  real  ones  as  at  other  times.  A 
few  days  after  we  moved  up  the  river,  and  had  pretty  jLjood 
luck. 

One  afternoon  as  I  was  in  a  canoe  with  one  of  the  pow- 
wows the  dog  barked,  and  j)resently  a  moose  passed  Iv  within 
a  few  rods  of  us,  so  that  the  waves  he  made  by  wadin*;!:  rolled 
our  canoe.  The  Indian  shot  at  him,  but  the  moose  took  very 
little  notice  of  it,  and  went  into  l!ie  woods  to  the  southward. 
The  fellow  said,  "  I  will  vry  if  I  can't  fetch  you  back  for  all 
your  haste."  The  eveniui]^  following,  we  built  our  two  wig- 
wams on  a  sandy  point  on  the  upper  end  of  an  island  in  the 
river,  north-west  of  the  ])!ace  where  the  moose  went  into  the 
woods  ;  and  here  the  Indian  powwowed  the  greatest  part  of 
the  night  following.  In  the  morning  we  had  a  fair  track  of  a 
moose  round  our  wigwams,  though  we  did  not  see  or  taste  of 
it.  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  devil  was  permitted  to  humor 
those  unhappy  wretches  sometimes,  in  some  things.* 

That  it  may  appear  Ikav  much  they  were  diduded,  or  under 
the  influence  of  satan,  read  the  two  stories  which  were  related 
and  believed  by  the  Indians.  The  first,  of  a  boy  who  was  car- 
ried away  by  a  large  bird  called  a  Giillmta,  who  buildeth  her 
nest  on  a  high  rock  or  mountain.  A  boy  was  huniuig  with 
his  bow  and  arrow  at  the  foot  of  a  rocky  mountain,  when  the 
gulloua  came  diving  through  the  air,  grasped  the  boy  in  her 
talons,  and  although  he  was  eight  or  ten  years  of  age,  she 
soared  aloft  and   hiid   him  in  her  nest,  food   for   her  yoiing. 

*  Whatever  the  Indians  might  have  believed  about  the  devil,  one  thing 
is  pretty  clear,  that  our  captive  had  great  I'aitli  in  his  abilities.  Qaue  as 
easy  a  way  to  have  accounted  lor  moose  tracks  about  their  wif^wam, 
would  have  been  to  suppase  that  that  animal  might  have  been  attracted 
by  the  uncouth  tioise  ot"  the  powAvow  to  approach  iheiii  ror  the  object  of 
discovery.     It  is  very  common  lor  wild  animals  to  do  so. — Ed. 


\ 


4 


JOHN  GYM-:S'  CAPTIVITY. 


93 


The  boy  lay  still  on  lii:.  face,  l)ui  obxTvcd  iwo  of  the  yoiinjr 
birds  iti  the  lu'sl  wiili  liiiii,  luiv'iii<(  im.  Ii  li>li  and  flc^h  to  Iced 
upon.  Tlic  old  niK-  >f'('in^''  they  \V(uild  imi  cai  ihi>  hoy,  took 
him  up  ill  her  claws  and  rctunu'd  liiiu  to  the  place  I'roiu  whoiioe 
she  took  hitii.  I  have  pas>ed  near  the  iiiouiitiiiii  in  a  raiior\ 
and  the  Indians  have  •■^aiil,  "  Th'Te  is  ihe  nesioi'the  ureal  hied 
that  carri(^d  away  the  boy."  Indeed  there  seemed  to  he  a  u'ri'at 
number  of  sti(dvs  |)ut  touellier  like  a  nest  on  the  toj)  of  the 
mountain.  At  iuiother  time  they  said,  "  'riierr  is  the  hird,  hut 
lie  is  now  as  a  hoy  to  a  iriant  U)  what  he  was  in  f(M'iin'r  days." 
The  hird  wliieh  we  saw  was  a  larjje  and  .■^petdJcd  one,  like  an 
eagle,  though  somewhat  larger.* 

When  iVoii)  ihc  iiKiiiiitiiiii  tops,  with  ludcdiis  cry 

Aixl  clatlcriiiir  uintrs,  the  lHni;.'iv  liarpics  lly, 

They  snatdiiMl  *  *  »  * 

*         *         And  whether  i^'oils  or  l>iiil>  (ihsccno  ihry  wore, 

Our  vows  tor  jjanloii  anil  (dv  pcacf  jjiclrr. 

Da\ hen's  Vuhjil. 

The  other  notion  is,  tliat  a  younu"  Indian  in  his  huntinLr  was 
belated,  and  Josiiilt  his  way,  was  on  a  sudden  introduced  to 
a  large  wigwam  full  of  dried  e<ds,  wiiitdi  proved  to  be  a  bea- 
ver's house,  in  which  he  lived  till  the  spring  of  the  year,  when 
he  WRs  turned  out  of  the  house,  and  being  set  upon  a  beaver's 
dam,  went  home  and  related  the  atiiiir  to  his  friends  at  large. 


under 

elated 

s  car- 

)    her 

with 

n  the 

n  her 

■,  sne 

)ung. 

thnig 

|ite  as 

(Wiim, 

Iracted 

3Ct  of 


Chapter    VI. — A    description   of  several   creatures   com- 
7nonlij  taken  l>y  the  Indians  on  St.  John's  rirrr. 

I.  Of  the  Beavkk. — The  heaver  has  a  very  thick,  strong 
neck  ;  his  fore  teeth,  which  are  two  in  the  upper  and  two  in 
the  under  jaw,  are  ct)iicave  and  sluirp  like  a  carpenter's  gouLTo. 
Their  side  teeth  are  like  a  sheep's,  for  thi'y  chew  the  cud. 
Their  legs  are  short,  the  claws  something  loiiyer  tlian  in 
other  creatures.  The  nails  on  the  toes  of  their  hind  feet 
are  Hat  like  an  ape's,  but  joined  together  by  a  membrane,  as 
those  of  the  water-fowl,  their  tails  broad  and  Ihtt  like  the  broad 
end  of  a  paddle.  Near  their  tails  ihey  have  four  bottles,  two 
of  which  contain  oil,  the  others  gum  ;  the  necks  of  these  meet 
in  one  common  oriHc(\  The  latter  of  these  bottles  contain  the 
proper  caslorurn,  and  not  the  testicles,  as  sonu;  have  fancied, 
for  they  are  distinct  and  separate  from  them,  m  the  males  only  ; 

*  Not  exactly  n  fish  xtonj,  but  it  is  certainly  a/y/V^/s/^;;-//.  and  alth()U<:^h  Mr. 
Gyles  has  fortified  himself  behiiul  ■•  believed  liy  llic  Indians."  yet.  I  fear 
liis  reputation  fur  credulity  will  be  somewhat  enhanced  m  the  mind  of 
the  reader.  I  think,  however,  it  should  not  derogate  from  his  character 
for  veracity. 


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94 


JOHN  GYLES'  CAPTIVITY. 


wheroas  the  castoriun  and  oil  bottles  are  oominon  to  male  and 
female.  With  this  cil  and  p'utii  they  preen  themselves,  so 
that  when  thf-y  come  out  of  th(>  water  it  runs  oil' of  iliem,  as 
it  does  from  a  (owl.  'I'hey  liave  four  teats,  which  are  on  their 
breasts,  so  that  they  hiiLT  up  their  yonnf;"  and  suckle  them,  as 
women  do  their  infants.  They  have  irenerally  two,  and  some- 
times four  in  a  litter.  I  have  seen  seven  or  five  in  the  matriX; 
but  the  Indians  think  it  a  strans/e  thinii;  to  (ind  so  many  in  a 
litter  ;  and  they  assert  that  wlu^n  it  so  ha|)p(»iis  the  dam  kills 
all  hot  four.  They  are  tln^  most  htborious  creatures  that  1 
have  met  with.  I  have  known  them  to  build  dams  across  a 
river,  thirty  or  forty  j)erclics  widi',  with  wood  and  mnd,  so  as 
to  tlow  mai.v  acres  of  land.  In  the  deepest  part  of  a  pond  so 
raised,  they  build  their  houses,  round,  in  the  ti<,nire  of  an  Indian 
wiiTwam,  eitrht  or  ten  feet  hiirh,  and  six  or  eiL'til  in  diameter 
on  the  (h)or,  which  is  made  descend ini;-  to  the  water,  the  parts 
near  the  centre  about  four,  and  near  the  circumference  between 
ten  and  twenty  iiudies  above  the  water.  These  lloors  ar(^  cov- 
ered with  stri|)})in:i:s  of  wood,  like  shavinu's.  On  these  lliey 
slee])  with  their  tails  in  the  water  ;*  and  if  the;  freshets  rise,  they 
have  the  advantaije  of  rising  on  their  floor  to  the  highest  part. 
They  feed  on  the  leaves  and  bark  of  trees,  and  pond  lily 
roots.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  they  lay  in  their  provision  for 
the  ajiproaching  winter ;  cutting  down  trees  great  and  small. 
With  one  end  in  their  months  they  drag  their  branches  near  to 
their  house,  and  sink  many  cords  of  it.  (They  will  cut  [gnaw] 
down  trees  of  a  fathom  in  circun)fercnce.)  They  hav(>  doors 
to  go  down  to  the  wood  mider  the  ice.  And  in  case  the  fresh- 
ets rise,  break  down  and  carry  olf  their  store  of  wood,  they 
ofl(Mi  starve.  They  have  a  note  for  conversing,  calling  and 
Avarning  each  other  wIumi  at  work  or  feedinii ;  find  while  they 
are  at  labor  they  kc(>p  out  a  guard,  w'm  upon  the  lirst  approach 
oi  an  enemy  so  strikes  the  water  with  his  tail  that  he  may 
be  1  e-  rd  half  a  mile.  This  so  alarms  the  rest  that  they  are 
all  silent,  (juit  their  labor,  and  are  to  be  seen  no  more  for  that 
time.  If  the  male  or  female  die,  the  survivor  seeks  a  mate, 
and  conducts  liim  or  her  to  their  honse,  and  carry  on  atliiirs  as 
above.  ' 

II.  Of  TiTi^,  Woi,vi:r]:m:.  \ GuIo  Li/sc7/s  oi^h.]  The  wol- 
verene is  a  very  lierce  and  mischievous  creature,  about  tiie 
bigness  of  a  middling  dog  ;   having  short   legs,  broad  feet  and 

*  I  rccullccl  to  liiivc  ,-cca  a  similar  sinlcmcnt  1>y  that  sin<riilnr  cjonius, 
Thomas  Morton,  of  ."Marc  Mount,  ia  liis  more  siiit!;ular  hook,  .\':w  Eng- 
lish Canaan,  aboal  beavers  keeping  their  tails  in  the  water.  Morton, 
however,  tells  us  llie  reason  ihev  do  so.  viz.  "■nfiitii  'hi'  rvmdd  overheat  and 
rot  oJf."—Eii. 


\ 

4 


*--„. 


JOHN  GYLES'  CAPTIVITY. 


95 


I 


f 


\ 


» 


very  sharp  clnws.  and  in  my  opinion  may  ln^  rcrlvonod  a  spo- 
cw:<  ol  cat.  Tlicv  will  cliinl»  trrcs  w.ui  wail  for  nmosc  ami 
other  animals  wliich  iVcd  lH'h)\v,  and  when  opportunity  pre- 
sents, jump  upon  and  strike-  their  (•lau>  in  tiiem  so  last  that 
thev  will  hanL,^  on  them  till  they  havt'  ijnawetl  the  main  nerve 
in  llif'ir  neok  asunder,  whiidi  causes  their  death.  I  have 
known  manv  moose  killed  thus.  J  was  once  travelliuL''  a  little 
way  Indiiiiil  several  Indians,  and  hearinir  them  huiLih  merrily, 
when  1  came  up  I  asked  them  the  cause  of  their  laiis^diter. 
Thi'v  'showed  me  the  traidc  of  a  moose,  and  how  a  W(dverene 
hud  elimhed  a  tree,  and  where  he  had  jumjied  of["  upon  a 
moose.  It  so  hapiit'iied,  that  after  the  moose  )iad  taken  seve- 
ral larii'i'  I'aps,  it  came  und(>r  the  hranch  of  a  tree,  which  strik- 
irif,''  the  wolverene,  hroke  his  hold  and  tore  him  otl";  and  hy 
his  tracks  in  the  snow  it  aj)peared  he  went  oil'  another  way, 
with  short  steps,  as  if  he  had  heen  stunned  hy  the  hlow  that 
had  hroken  his  hold.  The  Indians  imputed  the  accident  to 
the  cunnin<T  of  the  moose,  and  were  wonderfully  pleased  that 
it  had  thus  outwitted  the  mischievous  wolverene. 

These  wolverenes  po  into  wiirwams  which  have  heen  left 
for  a  time,  scatter  the  things  ahroad,  and  most  hlthily  jiolluto 
them  with  ordure.  1  have  heard  the  Indians  say  that  this  ani- 
mal has  ;vometimes  pulled  their  guns  from  under  their  heads 
while  they  were  asleep,  and  ie.'i,  them  so  deliled.  An  Indian 
told  me  that  having  left  his  wigwam  with  sundry  things  on 
the  scalTold,  among  which  was  a  birchen  dask  containing  seve- 
ral pounds  of  powder,  he  found  at  his  return,  much  to  his  sur- 
prise ami  grief,  that  a  wolverene  had  visited  it,  mounted  the 
scalfold,  hove  down  bag  and  hairgage.  The  powder  flask  hap- 
pening to  fall  into  the  lire,  exj)loded,  blowing  up  the  wolverene, 
and  scattering  the  wigwam  in  all  directions.  At  length  he 
fountl  the  creature,  blind  from  the  blast,  wanderini;  backward 
and  forward,  and  he  liad  the  satisfaction  of  kicking  and  beat- 
ing him  about  I  This  in  a  great  measure  made  up  their  loss, 
and  then  they  could  contentedly  pick  up  their  utensils  and  rig 
out  their  wigwam. 

111.  ()[■  Till-;  FJedgeiiog,  [Hislrix  Dor.sata,]  or  Urchin, 
[Ursofi?]  Our  hedgehog  or  urchin  is  about  the  bigness  of  a 
hog  of  six  months  old.  His  back,  sides  and  tail  are  full  of 
sharj)  quills,  so  that  if  any  creature  approach  him,  IuMvill  con- 
tract jiimseli"  into  a  glr)bular  form,  and  when  touched  hy  his 
enemy,  his  quills  are  so  sharp  and  loose  in  the  skin  they  hx  in 
the  mouth  of  the  adversary.  They  will  strike  with  great  force 
with  their  tails,  so  that  whatever  falls  under  the  lash  of  them 
are  certaiidy  tilled  with  their  prickles ;  but  that  they  shoot 
their  quills,  as  some  assert  they  do,  is  a  great  mistake,  as  re- 


I 


96 


JOHN   GYLES'  CAPTIVITY. 


spccts  the  Amcricnii  liflirt'liorr,  atul  1  Ik-Ucvo  as  to  the  Afri- 
can l)(Mli;('l)(iLr  or  pdrcupiiic,  also.  As  to  the  former,  I  hrtve 
taken  lliciii  at  all  seasons  of  iho  year. 

IV^   Of  Tin;   'I'ctirroisii.      It  is  needh'ss  to  descriho  tlie  fresh- 
water tortoi-c,  whdse  form  is  sn  well  known  in    ail    parts  ;   fut 


tl 


le'T  mann(.'r  ol   propa<jalin<.r  their  species  is  not  so  universally 


mown. 


1  I 


lave    o 


hserved    that  sort  of  tortoise  whose  shell    is 


al 


)out   fourteen  or  sixteen    inches  wide. 


may 


d  h 


ih 


learM  hall  a  mile,  maUmq'  a  noise  iiKe  a  woman  wasn 


In   tl 
lik 


leir  coition  they 


in;^  her  linen  with  a  hatting  stall".  They  lay  their  efjcs  in  the 
sand,  near  some  deep,  still  water,  ahout  a  foot  heneath  the  sur- 
face of  the  sand,  with  which  they  sire  very  curious  in  covering 
them  ;  so  that  there  is  not  the  least  mixture  of  it  amongst 
them,  nor  the  least  rising  of  sand  on  the  heach  where  they  are 
deposited.  I  have  often  searched  for  them  with  the  Indians, 
by  thrusting  a  stick  into  the  sand  at  random,  and  hrought  up 
some  part  of  an  egg  clinging  to  it ;  when,  uncovering  the  place, 
we  have  found  near  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  one  nest.  Both 
tlieir  eggs  and  llesh  are  good  eating  when  hoiled.  I  have 
observed  a  difference  as  to  the  length  of  time  in  which  they 
are  hatching,  which  is  between  twenty  and  thirty  days;  some 
sooner  than  others.  Whether  this  ditlerence  ought  to  be  im- 
puted to  the  various  cpiality  or  site  of  the  sand  in  which  they 
are  laid,  (as  to  the  degree  of  cold  or  heat,)  I  leave  to  the  con- 
jecture of  tlie  virtuosi.  As  soon  as  tliey  are  hatched,  the 
young  tortoise  breaks  through  the  sand  and  betake  themselves 
to  the  water,  and,  as  far  as  I  could  discover,  without  any  fur- 
ther care  or  help  of  the  old  ones. 

Chapter  VII. — Of  their  feasting.  1.  Before  they  go  to 
loar.  When  the  Indians  determine  on  war,  or  are  entering 
upon  a  particular  expedition,  they  kill  a  mimber  of  their  dogs, 
burn  off  their  hair  and  cut  them  to  pieces,  leaving  only  one 
dog's  head  whole.  The  rest  of  the  flesh  they  l)oil,  and  make 
a  fine  feast  of  it.  Then  the  dog's  head  that  was  left  whole  is 
scorched,  till  the  nose  and  lips  liave  shrunk  from  the  teeth, 
leaving  them  bare  and  grinning.  This  done,  they  fasten  it  on 
a  stick,  and  the  Indian  who  is  proposed  to  be  chief  in  the  expe- 
dition takes  the  head  into  his  hand,  and  sings  a  warlike  song, 
in  which  he  mentions  the  town  they  design  to  attack,  and  the 
principal  man  in  it;  threatening  that  fU  a  few  days  he  will 
carry  that  man's  head  and  scalp  in  his  hand,  in  the  same  man- 
ner. W^hen  the  chief  has  finished  singing,  he  so  places  the 
dog's  liead  as  to  grin  at  him  who  he  supposes  will  go  his 
second,  who,  if  he  accepts,  lakes  the  head  in  his  hand  and 
sings  ;  but  if  he  refuses  to  go,  he  turns  the   teeth  to  another; 


I 


\ 


1 


I 


!| 


JOHN  GYLES'  CAPTIVITY. 


97 


to  the  Afri- 

I 

niier,  I  luive 

1 

be  tlio  frosh- 

1 

t    parts  ;   l.nt 

1 

)  uiiiv('rsal!v 
lose  shell    is 

''.' 

coition  tiiey 

otniui  wash- 

1 

enos  j,i  tlie 
'atii  the  sur- 

in  covering 
it  amongst 

'" 

ere  they  are 

i 

the  Indians, 
brought  up 
ng  the  place, 
nest.  Both 
:(l.  I  have 
which  they 
days  ;  some 
U  to  l)e  im- 
which  they 

to  the  con- 
atclied,   the 

themselves 
ut  any  fur- 


Y^/fj/  go   to 

}e   enterinsf 

[then-  dog!^, 

"   ordy  one 

and  make 

|ft  whole  is 

the   teeth, 

listen  it  on 

the  expe- 

tlike  song, 

Tiv',  and  the 

's   he  will 

ime  man- 

[laces   the 

III  go  his 

(land   and 

another ; 


I 


and  thus  from  one  to  another  till  they  have  enli.stcd  their  com- 
pany. 

The  Indians  imagine  that  doir's  flesh  makes  them  bold  and 
courageous.  1  have  seen  an  Indian  split  a  dog's  head  with  a 
hatchet,  take  out  the  brains  hot,  and  eat  them  raw  with  the 
blood  running  down  his  jaws  I 

2.  lV//r»  a  rchit'io)!  d/rs.  In  a  still  eveninLT,  a  squaw 
will  walk  on  tlir  hiLfhest  land  near  Ix-r  abode,  and  with  a 
loud  and  mournlul  voice  will  e.M-laim,  "  Oh  hairr,  aa/re,  /laii-e,^^ 
with  a  lonir,  mournlul  trme  to  each  /inire,  iur  a  huie"  time 
toLTether.  After  the  mourning  sei.son  is  ovi'r.  the  relations  of 
the  deceased  make  a  fenst  to  wipe  off  tears,  and  the  bereaved 
may  marry  fre(dy.  If  the  deceased  was  a  sipiaw,  the  relations 
consult  together,  and  choose  a  s(|uaw,  (doubtless  a  widow.)  and 
send  her  to  the  widower,  and  if  he  liUes  her  he  takes  her 
to  be  his  wife,  if  not,  he  sends  lier  back,  and  the  relations 
choose  and  send  till  they  find  one  that  he   approves  of. 

If  a  young  fellow  determines  to  marry,  his  relations  and  the 
Jesuit  advise  him  to  a  girl.  He  goes  into  the  wigwam  where 
she  is,  and  looks  on  her.  If  he  likes  her  appearance,  he  tosses 
a  chip  or  sti(di  into  her  lap,  which  she  takes,  and  with  a 
reserved,  side  look,  views  the  ]M>rson  who  sent  it;  yet  handles 
the  chip  with  admiration,  as  thouuh  she  wondered  from  whence 
it  came.  If  she  likes  him  she  throws  the  chip  to  him  with  a 
modest  smile,  and  then  nothing  is  wanting  but  a  ceremony  with 
the  Jesuit  to  consummate  the  marriage.  But  if  she  dislikes 
her  suitor,  she,  with  a  surly  countenance,  throws  the  chip  aside, 
and  he  comes  no  more  there. 

If  parei  •  have  a  davighter  marriageable  they  seek  a  hus- 
band for  her  who  is  a  cfood  hunter.  If  she  has  been  educated 
to  make  inonooiiah,  (Indian  batr^*,)  birch  dishes,  to  lace  snow- 
shoes,  make  Indian  shoes,  string  wampum  belts,  sew  birch 
canoes,  and  boil  the  kettle,  she  is  esteemed  a  lady  of  fine 
accomplishments.  If  the  man  souirht  out  for  her  husband 
have  a  irun  and  ammunition,  a  canoe,  spear,  and  hatchet,  a 
monoodah,  a  crooked  knife,  lookimr-uiass  and  paint,  a  pipe, 
tobacco,  an.'-  knot-bowl  to  toss  a  kind  of  dice  in,  he  is  accounted 
a  gentleman  of  a  plentiful  fortune.  Whatever  the  new-married 
man  procures  the  first  year  belongs  to  his  wife's  parents.  If 
the  young  pair  Iiave  a  child  within  a  year  and  nine  months, 
they  are  thought  to  be  very  forward  and  libitlinous  persons. 

By  their  play  w'ith  dice  they  lose  much  time,  playinq-  whole 
days  and  nights  together ;  sometimes  staking  their  whole 
effects;  though  this  is  accounted  a  great  vice  ])y  the  old  men. 

A  digression. — There  is  an  old  story  told  among  the  Indians 
of  a  family  who  had  a  daughter  that  was  accounted  a  finished 
9 


nl 


98 


JOHN  GYLES'   CAPTIVITY. 


I 


!    I 


iK'aiity,  havinu^  been  adorned  with  tlie  prerioiis  jewel,  an  Indian 
(.'(lui.'ation  I  She  was  so  rornicd  by  iiatnrt',  and  polisbcd  by  art, 
tlial  tbcy  could  iiol  (ind  for  her  a  suilnlile  consort.  At  lenu'th, 
while  this  laniily  were  once  residini,'"  upon  the  head  of  Penob- 
scot river,  under  the  While  hills,  called  Trddofi,  thi.s  line  crea- 
ture was  niissinir,  and  her  parents  could  learn  no  tidings  of  her. 
Alter  much  time  and  pains  >penl,  and  tears  showeretl  in  (piest 
of  her,  they  saw  lier  diverting  hers(df  with  a  beautiful  youth, 
whose  hair,  lik'e  her  own,  flowed  down  below  his  waist,  .swini- 
uiini,'-,  wasliin«,s  &c.,  in  the  water;  but  they  vanished  upon 
their  approach.  This  beautiful  person,  whoin  they  imagined 
to  be  one  of  those  kind  spirits  who  inliabit  the  Teddon,  they 
looked  upon  as  their  son-in-law ;  and,  according  to  their 
custom,  they  called  upon  him  for  moose,  bear,  or  whatever 
creature  they  desired,  and  if  they  did  but  go  to  the  water-s'ide 
and  signify  their  desire,  the  animal  would  come  swimming  to 
them  !  I  have  heard  an  Indian  say  that  he  li  .ed  by  the  river, 
at  the  foot  of  the  Teddon,  the  top  of  which  he  could  see  through 
the  hole  of  his  wigwam  left  for  the  smoke  to  pass  out.  He 
was  tempted  to  travel  to  it,  and  accordingly  set  out  on  a  sum- 
mer morning,  and  labored  hard  in  ascending  the  hill  all  day, 
and  the  top  seemed  as  distant  from  the  place  where  he  lodged 
at  night  as  from  his  wigwam,  where  he  began  his  journey.  He 
now  concluded  the  spirits  were  there,  and  never  dared  to  make 
a  second  attempt. 

I  have  been  credibly  informed  that  several  others  have  failed 
in  like  attempts.  Once  three  young  men  climbed  towards  its 
summit  three  days  and  a  half,  at  the  end  of  which  time  they 
became  strangely  disordered  with  delirium,  &c.,  and  when 
their  imagination  was  clear,  and  they  could  recollect  where 
they  wer*.',  they  found  themselves  returned  one  day's  journey. 
How  they  came  to  be  thus  transported  they  could  not  conjec- 
ture, urdess  the  genii  of  the  place  had  conveyed  them.  These 
White  hills,  at  the  head  of  Penobscot  river,  are,  by  the  Indians, 
said  to  be  much  higher  than  those  called  Agiockochook,  above 
Saco."^ 

But  to  return  to  an  Indian  feast,  of  which  you  may  request  a 
bill  of  fare  before  you  go.  If  you  dislike  it,  stay  at  liome.  The 
ingredients  are  hsh,  flesh,  or  Indian  corn,  and  beans  boiled 
together ;  sometimes  hasty  pudding  made  of  pounded  corn, 
whenever  and  as  often  as  these  are  plenty.  An  Indian  boils 
four  or  five  large  kettles  full,  and  sends  a  messenger  to  each 
wigwam  door,  who  exclaims,  "  Kuh  menscoorebah .'"  that  if 
*'  I  come  to  conduct  you  to  a  feast."    The  man  within  demands 


i 


*  Some  additions  to  these  traditions  will  be  found  in  the  Book  of  the  In- 
dians, iii.  131. — Ed. 


JOHN  GYLES'   CAPTIVITY. 


99 


,  an  Indian 
h('(l  by  iirtj 
Al  Ifiiotli, 
I  of  IV'Uob- 
s  tine  croa- 
in^s  of  her. 
'd  in  c[ucst 
liful  youth, 
aif^l,  swini- 
ished  upon 
y  inmgiiied 
,'ddon,  ihey 
ig  to  their 
r  whatever 
I  water-side 
vininHn;;^  to 

y  the  river, 
see  through 
5s  out.  He 
[  on  a  sum- 
lill  all  day, 
e  he  lodged 
urney.  He 
red  to  make 

have  failed 
towards  its 
time  they 
and  when 
ocl  where 
"s  journey, 
not  conjec- 
m.  These 
le  Indians, 
look,  above 

y  request  a 
lome.  The 
>ans  boiled 
mded  corn, 
lulian  boils 
ofer  to  each 
i/"  that  if 
in  demands 

'ooh  of  the  In- 


whether  ho  must  take  a  spoon  or  a  knife  in  his  dish,  whic!    he 


always  carries  with  hi 


m. 


Tl 


icy  appfunt  two  or  three   youn 


(T 


i 


men  to  mess  it  out,  to  each  niiui  his  jiortion,  accordinij-  to  the 
numlter  of  his  family  at  home.  This  is  done  with  the  utmost 
exactness.  When  th^y  hav(^  done  eating,  a  young  fellow  stands 
without  th(>  (h>or,  and  crifs  aloud,  "  ]\[cnsrrofnfuook,''  "  come  and 
fetch!"  Imincdiately  each  s(|uaw  goes  to  her  husband  niid 
takes  what  he  h;LS  left,  which  she  carries  home  and  eats  with 
her  children.  For  neither  married  woukmi.  nor  any  youth 
under  twenty,  are  allowed  to  be  present ;  but  old  widow 
squaws  ;iiid  captive  men  may  sit  by  the  door.  The  Indian 
men  coDtinue  in  tlx^  wiL''wnm;  some  relatinrr  their  warlike 
exjiloits,  others  something  comical,  others  narrating  their 
hunting  exploits.  The  seniors  give  maxims  of  prudence  and 
grave  counsel  to  the  youmr  nn'ii  ;  and  thoui,''h  every  one's 
speech  be  agreeable  to  the  run  of  his  own  fancy,  yet  they  con- 
fine themselves  to  rule,  and  but  one  sjiealcs  at  a  tim(\  After 
every  man  has  told  his  story,  one  rises  up,  sings  a  feast  song, 
and  others  succeed  alternately  as  the  company  sees  lit. 

Necessity  is  the  mother  of  invention.  If  an  Indian  loses  his 
fire,  he  can  presently  take  two  sticks,  one  harder  than  the 
other,  (the  drier  the  better,)  and  in  the  softest  oue  make  a  hol- 
low, or  socket,  in  which  one  end  of  the  hardest  stick  being 
inserted,  then  holding  the  softest  piece  firm  between  his  knees, 
whirls  it  round  like  a  drill,  and  fire  will  kindle  in  a  few 
minutes. 

If  they  have  lost  or  left  their  kettle,  it  is  but  putting  their 
victuals  into  a  birch  dish,  leaving  a  vacancy  in  the  middle, 
filling  it  with  water,  and  putting  in  hot  stones  alternately; 
they  will  thus  thoroughly  boil  the  toughest  neck  of  beef. 

Chapter  VIII. — Of  my  three  years  raptirity  with  the 
French. — When  aljout  six  years  of  my  doleful  captivitv  had 
passed,  my  second  Indian  master  died,  whose  squaw  and  my 
first  Indian  master  disputed  whose  slave  I  should  be.  Some 
malicious  persons  advised  them  to  end  the  quarrel  by  putting 
a  period  to  my  life  ;  but  honest  father  Simon,  the  priest  of  the 
river,  told  them  that  it  would  be  a  heinous  crime,  and  advised 
them  to  sell  me  to  the  French.  There  came  annually  one  or 
two  men  of  war  to  supply  the  fort,  which  was  on  the  river 
about  34  leagues  from  the  sea.  The  Indians  having  advice  of 
the  arrival  of  a  man  of  war  at  the  motith  of  the  riv»}r,  they, 
about  thirty  or  forty  in  number,  went  on  ijoard  ;  for  the  gentle- 
men from  France  made  a  present  to  'hem  every  year,  and  set 
forth  the  riches  and  victories  of  their  monarch,  &c.  At  this 
time  they  presented  the  Indians  with  a  bag  or  two  of  flour  with 


i'  ('H 


100 


JOHN  GYLES'    CAPTIVITY. 


t 


somo  prunes,  as  iiifrrodipnts  for  a  feast.  I,  wlio  wa^  dressed 
up  ill  iin  old  mrt'iisy  blanket,  wiilioiit  I'ap,  hat,  or  shirt,  (lor  I 
had  had  no  shirl  for  the  six  years,  except  the  one  1  had  on  at 
the  time  I  was  made  prisoner,)  was  invit.'d  into  the  i>Teat  cai)in, 
where  many  well-riLrtred  irentlcmeii  were  sitliiii/,  who  would 
fain  have  had  a  full  view  of  me-.  1  endeavored  to  hide  mysc.'lf 
behind  tin*  haiu,finL''s,  for  I  was  muidi  ashamed;  tliinkinir  liow 
I  had  once  worn  clothes,  aiul  of  my  iivimr  with  people  who 
could  rit,f  as  well  as  the  iiesl  of  them.  My  master  asked  me 
wlietlu  r  I  chose  to  he  sold  to  the  people  of  the  man  of  war,  or 
to  the  inlialtilants  of  the  country.  1  replied,  with  tears,  that 
I  should  he  irlad  if  he  would  sell  me  to  the  ICni^lish  iVom  whom 
I  was  taken  ;  hut  that  if  I  nuist  he  sold  to  the  French,  I  wislied 
to  1)0  sold  to  'he  lowest  inhahitants  on  the  river,  or  those  near- 
est to  the  sea,  who  were  abctut  twenty-live  leagues  from  tlie 
mouth  of  the  river;  for  I  thought  that,  if  I  were  sold  to  the 
gentlemen  in  the  ship,  I  should  never  return  to  the  Enpljsh. 
This  was  tiie  lirst  linu'  I  had  siM'ii  the  sea  during  my  captivity, 
atul  the  lirst  time  1  had  tasted  salt  or  bread. 

My  luaster  presently  went  on  shore,  and  a  few  days  aftev  all 
the  Indians  went  up  the  river.  AViien  we  came  to  a  liouse 
which  I  had  spoken  to  my  master  about,  lie  went  on  shore 
with  me,  and  tarried  all  nitiht.  The  master  of  the  house  spoke 
kindly  to  me  in  Indian,  for  I  could  not  then  speak  one  word  of 
Fr-^iich.  Machim  also  looked  pleasant  on  me,  and  ^ave  me 
some  bread.  The  next  day  I  was  sent  six  leagues  further  up 
the  river  to  another  French  house.  My  master  and  the  friar 
tarried  with  Monsieur  DechoufTour,  the  i^entleman  who  had 
entertained  us  the  night  before.  Not  long  after,  father  Simon 
came  and  said,  "  Now  you  are  one  of  us,  for  you  are  sold  to 
that  gentleman  by  whom  you  were  entertained  the  other  night. 
I  replied,  "  Sold  ! — to  a  Frenchman  !"  1  could  say  no  more, 
went  into  the  woods  alone,  and  wept  till  I  could  scarce  see  or 
stand  !  The  word  sold,  and  that  to  a  people  of  that  persua- 
sion which  my  dear  mother  so  much  detested,  and  in  her  last 
words  manifested  so  irreat  fears  of  my  falling  into  !  These 
thoughts  almost  broke  my  heart. 

When  I  had  thus  given  vent  to  my  grief  I  wiped  my  eyes, 
endeavoring  to  co.iceal  its  effects,  but  father  Simon,  perceiving 
my  eyes  were  swollen,  called  me  aside,  and  bidding  me  not  to 
grieve,  for  the  gentleman,  he  said,  to  whom  I  was  sold,  was  of 
a  good  humor;  that  he  had  formerly  bought  two  captives, 
both  of  whom  had  been  sent  to  Boston.  This,  in  some  mea- 
sure, revived  me ;  but  he  added  he  did  not  suppose  I  would 
ever  wish  to  go  to  the  English,  for  the  French  religion  was  so 
much  better.     He  said,  also,  he  should  pass  that  way  in  about 


)-    i; 


I 


JOHN   GYLES'    CAPTIVITY 


101 


I'ns  dressed 
siiirl,  (for  I 
I  li;i(l  oil  ut 
iirciit  ciihiii, 
who  would 
'u\v  myself 

illl\iM!Jf  iiow 

people  wlio 
r  asked  lae 
I  ot  war,  or 
tears,  that 
t'rom  whom 
li,  I  wished 
tlioso  iicur- 
es  from  the 
sold  to  the 
le  Ennlish. 
y  ca})livity, 

lys  after  all 
to  a  house 
t  on  shore 
lOUse  spoke 
ine  word  of 
d  pave  me 

urther  up 

:1  the  friar 
who  had 

ler  Simon 
lire  sold  to 
ither  night, 
y  no  more, 

r(!0  see  or 
It  persua- 

n  licr  last 
!     These 

I  my  eyes, 
lerceiving 
me  not  to 
Id,  Avas  of 
captives, 
Korne  mea- 
le  I  would 
on  was  so 
y  in  about 


« 


I 


ten  days,  and  if  T  did  imt  like  to  live  with  the  French  l^ottcr 
than  with  t!ie  Indians  he  W(>uld  buy  m<'  asjain.  On  the  day 
followiu'j.  lather  Simon  and  my  Indian  ma-^ter  went  up  the 
river,  six  atid  thirty  leaL''ue-«.  to  their  chief  villas''',  and  1  wi'nt 
down  the  river  six  loaLTue^  with  two  Frenchmen  to  mv  ii''W 
master.  He  kiiidlv  re<'eived  me.  and  in  a  few  days  maijam 
made  me  an  osnaburt;  shirt  and  French  cap  ai\d  a  coat  out  of 
on<!  of  my  master's  old  coals.  Then  I  threw  away  my  <jr<'asy 
blanket  and  Indian  (lap,  and  lookeil  as  smart  as  — .  And  [ 
never  tnore  saw  the  f)ld  friar,  tho  Indian  villaiie.  or  my  Indian 
ma<ter,  till  about  fourteen  y  'ars  alter.  whr>n  I  saw  my  old 
liulian  master  at  I'ort  J'.oyal,  whither  1  had  been  sesil  by  the 
government  with  a  flag  •)f  truce  for  tlu"  exchanL''e  of  prisoners  ; 
and  aLTain.  abi.  it  twenty-four  years  since,  he  came  to  St.  .lohn's, 
to  fort  CjeorLre,  to  see  me,  wh'Te  I  made  him  V(^ry  W(  Icome. 

My  French  master  held  great  trade  with  the  Indians, 
which  suited  me  very  well,  1  neing  thorough  in  the  languages 
of  ;he  tribes  at  Cape  Sable  and  St.  Johns. 

I  had  not  lived  long  with  this  gont'eman  before  he  commit- 
ted to  me  the  keys  of  his  store,  tScc,  and  my  whole  employment 
was  trading  and  hunting,  in  which  I  acted  faithfully  for  my 
master,  and  never,  knowingly,  wronged  him  to  the  value  of  one 
farthing. 

They  spoke  to  me  so  much  in  Indian  that  it  was  some  time 
before  I  was  perfect  in  the  Frencli  tongue.  Monsieur  gene- 
rally had  his  goods  from  the  men-of-war  which  came  there 
annually  from  France. 

In  th(!  year  1696,  two  men-of-war  came  to  the  mouth  of  the 
river.  In  their  way  they  had  captured  the  Newport,  Captain 
Payson,  and  brought  him  with  them.  They  made  the  Indians 
some  presents,  and  invited  them  to  join  in  an  expedition  to 
Pemmafpiid.  They  accepted  it,  and  soon  after  arrived  there. 
Capu  Chubb,  who  commanded  that  post,  delivered  it  u[)  with- 
out much  dispute  to  Monsieur  D'lberville,  as  I  heard  the  gen- 
tleman say,  with  whom  I  lived,  who  was  there  present.^ 

Early  in  the  spring  I  was  sent  with  three  Frenchmen  to  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  for  provision,  which  came  from  Port  Royal. 
We  carried  over  land  from  the  river  to  a  large  bay,  where  we 
were  driven  on  an  island  by  a  north-east  storm,  where  we  were 
kept  seven  days,  without  any  sustenance,  for  we  expected  a 
quick   passage,  and  carried   nothing  with  us.     The  wirul  con- 

*  The  reverend  Dr.  Mather  says,  wittily,  as  he  says  everythin<^.  "This 
Chubb  fbuml  opportunity,  in  a  pretty  Chiilhish  manner,  tu  kill  the  famous 
Edj^eremet  and  Ahenquid.  a  couple  of  principal  Indians,  on  a  Lord's  day, 
the  Itith  of  February,  Ib'.lo.     If  there  is  any  unfair  dealmg  in  this  actioa 


I 


I 


II 


1^ 


i 


102 


JOirX  GVLES'    CAniVITY. 


tinuinc;  boistorons,  wn  rnuld  not  return  back,  and   the  ico  pro- 


Vfdtod  our  iioiii'' 


i'orw 


ird 


Aft 


cr  seven  driys  tfip  i'"( 


l.rol, 


<"  III 


and  we  went  loruMrd,  tli<»iii^'lj  we  were  so  wrnk  that  we  ("oiild 
scarce  hoar  each  other  .speak.  The  people  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  were  surprised  to  see  us  ulive,  and  :idvised  u^;  to  he  cau- 
liou;;  and  ah>teniioiis  in  eatinij.  liy  this  time  F  knew  iis  much 
of  lastinij  as  tliey,  and  dieted  on  hrolh,  and  recovred  very  well, 
as  did  one  of  the  r)thers ;  hut  the  other  two  would  tmt  fie 
advised,  and  I  never  saw  any  persons  in  preatt-r  distress,  till 
at  leiiLTth  they  had  action  of  the  howds,  when  they  recovered, 

A  friar,  who  lived  iti  the  family,  invited  me  to  confession, 
hut  I  excused  myself  as  well  as  I  could  at  that  tiuie.  One 
evening  he  took  me  into  his  apartment  in  the  dark  and  advised 
me  to  confess  to  him  what  sins  1  had  committed.  I  told  him  I 
could  not  remember  a  thousandth  part  of  them,  they  were  so 
numerous.  Then  he  bid  me  rememh{>r  and  relate  as  many  as 
I  could,  and  he  would  pardon  thetn;  siirnifyinir  he  had  a  ba"^ 
to  put  them  in.  I  told  him  I  did  not  believe  it  was  in  the 
power  of  any  but  God  to  pardon  sin.  He  asked  me  whether  I 
had  read  the  Bible.  1  told  him  I  had,  when  1  was  a  little  boy, 
but  it  was  so  long-  ago  I  had  forgotten  most  of  it.  Then  he 
told  me  he  did  not  pardon  my  sins,  but  when  he  knew  them  he 
praved  to  God  to  pardon  them  ;  when,  perhaps,  I  was  at  my 
sports  and  j)Iays.  He  wished  me  well  ami  hoped  I  should  be 
better  advised,  and  said  he  should  call  for  me  in  a  little  time. 
Thus  he  dismissed  me,  nor  did  he  ever  call  me  to  confession 
afterwards. 

The  gentleman  with  whom  I  lived  had  a  fine  field  of  wheat, 
in  which  great  numbers  of  blaclc-birds  continually  collected  and 
made  great  havoc  in  it.  The  French  said  a  Jesuit  would  come 
and  banish  them.  He  did  at  length  come,  and  having  all 
things  prepared,  he  took  a  basin  of  holy  water,  a  staff' with  a 
little  brush,  and  having  on  his  white  robe,  went  into  the  field 
of  wheat.  I  asked  several  prisoners  who  had  lately  been  taken 
by  privateers,  and  brought  in  there,  viz.  Mr.  Woodbury,  Cocks 
[Cox  ?]  and  Morgan,  whether  they  would  go  and  see  the  cere- 
mony.    Mr.  Woodbury  asked  me  whether  I  designed  to  go, 

of  Chubb,  there  will  be  another  February,  not  far  off,  wherein  the  avenger 
of  blood  will  take  satisfaction.'' — Hist.  N.  E.  [Ma^iialia]  B.  vii.  79. 

Mr.  Mather  adds,  "  On  the  4th  or  .^th  of  Aufrust,  Chubb,  with  an  un- 
common baseness,  did  surrender  the  biave  fort  of  Penimat}uid  into  their 
hands."  [For  an  accoiuit  of  the  wretched  fate  of  Cliubb  as  well  as  that 
of  the  whole  transaction,  see  Book  of  the  Indians,  B.  iii.  121,  122.J 

Unthinkmg  men  no  sort  of  scruples  make. 
And  some  are  bad  only  for  mischief's  sake, 
But  ev'n  the  best  are  guilty  by  mistake. 


I 


JOHN  gvm:s'  captivity. 


103 


ho  Wo  pro- 
('  liroko  up 
it  wv  roil  Id 
oiitli  of  flio 
.  to  lif  caw- 
\v  as  111 II eh 
I  vrry  woll, 
iild  tint  lie 
li>tr<'ss,  till 

rfcovorrd, 
confession, 
iiiip.  Otio 
iiid  advised 

told  liiiii  I 
ley  were  so 
as  niJiny  fvs 

had  a  ba^ 

was  in  tho 

;  whether  I 

a  little  hoy, 

Then  he 

3VV  them  he 

was  at  my 
I  should  he 

little  time. 

confession 

of  wheat, 

lected  and 

ould  come 

having  all 

taff  with  a 

to  the  field 

:)een  taken 

ury,  Cocks 

e  the  cere- 

led  to  go, 

the  avenger 
■u. 79. 

with   an  un- 
lid  into  their 

well  as  that 
,  122.J 


» 


and  ^  told  liim  yes.  H<'  then  said  F  was  a.s  had  as  a  papist, 
and  a  d — d  fool.  I  told  him  I  licdirvcd  a>  little  of  it  as  he  did, 
hut  that  I  \\a-<  iiicliiu'il  to  see  the  ceremony,  that  I  iniL^ht  tell 
it  to  my  fri'Mids. 

Willi  alioiit  thirty  following  in  procession,  the  Jesuit  inandied 
throiiLrh  tho  lifld  of  wlu-at,  a  youiiLT  hid  going  liefore  liiin  hear- 
ing the  holy  water.  TIumi  ilif  Jrsiiit,  dip|)ing  his  hnisli  into 
the  holy  water,  sprinkled  ihc  licld  on  each  side  (»f  him  ;  a  little 
hell  jin-jliiiy-  at  the  same  time,  ami  all  sinuniii:  the  words  Ora 
])ro  nohis.  At  t!ie  end  of  the  lirM  they  wheeled  fo  the  left 
about,  and  returned.  'rini<  they  pi'sscd  and  repassed  the  Htdd 
of  wheal,  the  blark-birds  all  the  while  risiiie'  before  them  only 
to  liirht  behind.  At  their  return  1  told  a  I-'reiich  lad  that  the 
friar  had  done  lui  service,  and  recommenfled  them  to  shoot  tho 
hirds.  The  lad  left  me,  as  I  tliouudit,  to  see  what  the  Jesuit 
would  sav  t(»  mv  ob^crvaiicui.  wliieh  tiiriiiMJ  out  to  be  tin*  case, 
for  he  (old  the  lad  that  the  sins  of  the  people  were  so  trreal  that 
he  could  not  jirevail  aa"ainst  those  hirds.  The  same  friar  as 
vainly  attempted  to  banish  the  muskeloes  from  Signecto,  but 
the  sins  of  the  people  there  were  also  too  great  for  him  to  pre- 
vail, but,  on  the  other  hand,  it  seemed  that  more  came,  which 
caused  the  people  to  suspect  that  some  had  come  for  the  sins 
of  the  Jesuit  also. 

Some  time  after.  Col.  Hawthorn<»  attempted  the  taking  of 
the  French  fort  up  tliis  river.  We  li<'ard  of  him  some  time 
before  he  came  up,  by  the  guard  which  Governor  Villebon  had 
stationed  at  the  river's  mouth.  IVIonsi(>ur,  my  master,  had  gone 
to  France,  and  madam,  his  wife,  advised  with  me.  She  desir- 
ed me  to  nail  a  paper  on  the  door  of  her  house,  which  paper 
read  as  follows  : 

"  I  entreat  the  ceneral  of  the  Enjilish  not  to  hum  my  house 
or  barn,  nor  destroy  my  cattle.  I  don't  suppose  that  such  an 
army  comes  here  to  destroy  a  few  inhabitjints,  but  to  take  the 
fort  above  us.  I  have  shown  kindness  to  the  English  captives, 
as  we  were  capacitated,  and  have  bought  two,  of  the  Indians, 
and  sent  them  to  Boston.  We  have  one  now  with  us,  and  he 
shall  go  also  when  a  convenient  opportunity  presents,  and  he 
desires  it." 

When  I  had  done  this,  madam  said  to  me,  "  Little  English," 
[which  was  the  familiar  name  she  used  to  call  me  by,]  "we 
have  shown  you  kindness,  and  now  it  lies  in  your  power  to 
serve  or  disserve  us,  as  you  know  where  our  goods  arir  hid  in 
the  woods,  and  that  monsieur  is  not  at  home.  I  could  have 
sent  you  to  the  fort  and  put  yon  under  confinement,  but  my 
respect  to  you  and  your  assurance  of  love  to  us  have  disposed 
me  to  confide  in  you ;  persuaded  you  will  not  hurt  us  or  our 


f .; 


101 


JOHN  OYl.ES'   CAPriVITV 


fl 


afHiirs.  And,  now,  if  you  will  not  rnii  nwny  to  tho  FiMiili.sh, 
who  iiro  coiijiiii^r  up  tlif  timt,  but  mtvo  our  iiitf'r<'st,  I  will  uc- 
(juniul  niotisicur  of  it  on  liis  rfiurn  from  Frau'-r,  which  will  hn 
very  ph'iisinir  to  hini  ;  iiml  I  now  ^'ivt'  iny  word,  y'>'>  ^h-'ill  hnvo 
lilt'Tly  to  i^o  to  Bo>loii  on  th<'  Hrsl  opportunity,  if  you  dcsiri'  it, 
or  any  other  favor  in  iny  power  >liall  not  he  duniccl  you."  I 
rc|)lit'd  : 

"  Aladam,  it  is  contrary  to  tho  nature*  of  the.  English  to  re- 
quite evil  for  ^(uh\.  I  shall  endeavor  tf)  serve*  you  and  your 
interest.  I  NJiall  not  run  to  the  IviLHish,  hut  if  I  am  taken  hy 
them  I  shall  vvillinj'ly  ufo  with  thciu,  and  yei  endeavor  not  to 
disserve  you  either  in  your  person  or  <,M)ods." 

The  place  where  we  lived  was  called  Hai,nmsack,  twenty-five 
lenijues  fronj  th<^  river's  mouth,  as  I  have  hefore  stated. 

We  now  emliarlced  und  went  in  a  lari^e  hoat  and  canoe  two 
or  tliree  miles  up  an  eastern  hranch  of  the  river  that  comes 
from  a  larjj^e  pond,  and  on  the  followiiii^  eveninc^  sent  down  four 
hands  t)  make  di-!Covery.  And  while  they  were  sitting  in  the 
hou>:e  the  Eni^Hish  surrounded  it  and  took'  one  of  the  four. 
The  otiier  three  made  their  escape  in  the  dark  and  through 
the  Encj^lish  soldiers,  and  cominrr  to  us,  gave  a  surprisincf  ac- 
count of  affairs.  Upon  this  news  madam  said  to  me,  "  Little 
English,  now  you  can  go  from  us,  hut  I  hope  you  will  remem- 
ber your  word."  1  said,  "  Madam,  be  not  concerned.  I  will 
not  leave  you  in  this  strait."  She  said,  "  I  know  not  what  to 
do  with  my  two  poor  little  babes!"  I  said,  "  Mada)n,  the 
sooner  we  embark  and  go  over  the  great  pond  the  better." 
Accordingly  we  embarked  and  went  over  the  pond.  The  next 
day  we  spoke  with  Indians,  who  were  in  a  canoe,  and  they 
gave  us  an  account  that  Signecto  town  was  taken  and  burnt. 
Soon  after  we  heard  the  great  guns  at  Gov.  Villebon's  fort, 
which  the  English  engaged  several  days.  They  killed  one 
man,  then  drew  olTdown  the  river  ;  fearing  to  continue  longer, 
for  fear  of  being  frozen  in  for  the  winter,  which  in  truth  they 
would  have  been. 

Hearing  no  report  of  cannon  for  several  days,  I,  with  two 
others,  went  down  to  our  house  to  make  discovery.  We  found 
our  young  lad  who  was  taken  by  the  English  when  they  went 
up  the  river.  The  general  had  shown  himself  so  honorable, 
that  on  reading  the  note  on  our  door,  he  ordered  it  not  to  be 
burnt,  nor  the  barn.  Our  cattle  and  other  things  he  preserved, 
except  one  or  two  and  the  poultry  for  their  use.  At  their 
return  they  ordered  the  young  lad  to  be  put  on  shore.  Find- 
ing things  in  this  posture,  we  returned  and  gave  madam  an 
account  of  it. 

She  acknowledged  the  many  favors  which  the  English  had 


JOHN  (JVLES'   CAI'IIVITV. 


lori 


t.   I    Will    !IC- 

liicli  will  be 

II  >ll!lll    lliJVO 

MU  desire  ii, 
(•(I  you."     I 

iii^lish  to  re- 
Du  and  your 
iin  taken  by 
ettVDr  not  to 

,  twenty-five 
a  ted. 

(1    CllMOC   two 

r  that  comes 

lit  down  four 

<iilin^  in  the    • 

of  tbf  four. 

and  til  rough 

urprisiiiir  ac- 

I  me,  "  Little 

will  remein- 

ne;l.      I  will 

not  what  to 
Madam,   the 

the  better." 
The  next 
x\  and  they 
n  and  burnt. 

llebon's  fort, 
y  killed  one 
tinue  longer, 

n  truth  they 

,  I,  with  two 
We  found 
en  they  went 
so  honorable, 
d  it  not  to  be 
le  preserved, 
L".  At  their 
lore.  Fiud- 
re  madam  an 


«howed  her.  with  uriiitudf,  and  iri;ii(>d  mu-  with  great  civility. 
The  next  spriiiir  monsieur  arrived  iVom  Krancc  in  thf  miiii-of- 
war.  He  tliankfd  me  for  my  fan-  of  hi-  atliiir.  and  -;iid  he 
would  t  iidcavo:'  to  fullil  whai  ni.id:im  had  pnuni-i  ,1  inc. 

At't'ordiii'jiv.  ill  tin-  yar  ll>!>*^.  |>cai<'  briiu'  pnudaiiiH'd,  a 
.sloop  laiiic  I.I  ilii'  iijiMitli  (it  the  ri\t'r  with  ransom  for  one  Mi- 
chael tJooiii-i.  I  pill  iiioiisiciir  in  mind  of  his  word,  telling 
him  there  wa>  now  an  ripportiiiiity  tor  me  to  go  and  see  ihe 
ICiigli-h.  He  advisrd  me  to  coiitiijiie  wi'li  him  ;  said  he  Wdiild 
do  for  me  a-  tor  lii-  own.  cVe.  I  tliunked  him  Inr  Iii<  kindness, 
but  rather  chose  to  -jo  te  Jio-ton.  hopiiiL'  to  lind  some  of  my 
relitioii^  yet  alive.  Then  In-  advised  me  to  ;;o  up  to  the  fort 
aiitl  take  my  leave  ot'  liie  LToveriioi'.  whii'li  1  did,  Mild  hi'  >poktj 
very  kindly  to  mi-.  Some  days  a'i<'r  I  took  mv  Nave  of  ma- 
dam, ami  monsieur  went  down  to  tin'  nidutli  of  the  river  with 
me.  to  see  me  salejv  on  beard.  Hi-  a>k('d  the  master,  Mr. 
Slarkee,  a  Scotchman,  wlctlicr  I  miHt  pay  for  my  pass;ige, 
and  if  so,  he  would  pay  it  liiinselt  rather  than  1  should  have  it 
to  pay  at  my  arrival  in  Mostoii.  Imi  he  eave  me  not  a  jienny. 
The  master  told  him  there  was  miiliiiig  to  pay,  and  that  if  the 
owner  .should  make  any  demand  lie  would  jiay  it  himstdf, 
rather  than  a  poor  prisoner  should  sutler;  for  he  was  glad  to 
sec  any  I'^ntflish  person  come  out  ot  Captivity. 

On  the  l.'illi  (»f  June,  1  took  my  leave  of  monsieur,  and  the 
sloop  came  to  sail  for  IJoston,  where  we  arrived  on  the  liUh  of 
the  same,  at  night,  in  the  morniiiLT  after  my  arrival,  a  youth 
came  on  board  and  asked  many  <piestions  relating  to  my  caj)- 
livily,  and  at  length  gave  me  to  understand  that  li<>  was  my 
little  brother,  who  was  .at  play  with  some  other  cliildren  at 
Pemmaiiuid  when  I  was  taken  captive,  and  who  escajied  into 
the  fort  at  that  p(^rilous  time,  fie  told  me  mv  elder  brother, 
who  made  his  escape  from  the  farm,  when  it  was  taken,  and 
our  two  little  sisters,  were  alive,  Imt  thai  our  mother  had  been 
dead  some  years.  Then  we  went  on  shore  and  saw  our  elder 
brother. 

On  the  2d  of  August,  Ki'^f),  I  was  taken,  and  on  the  19lh  of 
June,  1(>;)8,  I  arrived  at  lioston  ;  so  that  I  was  absen*  eight 
years,  ten  months,  and  seventeen  days.  In  all  which  time, 
though  I  underwent  extreme  diflicii'lties,  yet  I  saw  much  of 
God's  goodness.  And  may  the  mo-t  powerful  and  beneficent 
Being  accept  of  this  public  testimony  of  it,  and  ble<.s  my  expe- 
riences to  excite  others  to  confide  in  his  all-sufliciency,  through 
the  infinite  merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 


111 

i 

i 

I 


''If 


English  bad         ^  ^ 


u 


106 


1 1  I 

t    I 


APPENDIX,  containing  minutes  of  the  eviployments,  jniblic 
stations,  etc.,  of  John  Gvlks,  Esq.,  connnandcr  of  the  s^arri- 


son  on  St.  George'' s  river 


After  my  return  out  of  captivitVi  Juno  28th,  1698,  I  applied 
myself  to  the  jsrovernment  for  their  fiivor.  Soon  after  1  was 
ernpioycd  by  old  father  Mitchel,  of  Maiden,  to  go  as  his  inter- 

.'ter  on  Iradinij:  arconnt  to  St.  John's  river. 

October  14th,  1G98,  I  was  employed  by  the  trovernment, 
Lieutenant  Governor  Stontrhton  commander-in-chief,  to  "-o  as 


pr 


)nt( 


nan 
rpretc 


at  three  j)()unds   per  month,  with  Major  Converse 
and  old  Capt.  Alden  to  Penobscot  to  fetch  captives.      At  our 


ret 


to  Boston  1 


'd  ;   but  with 


d; 


th( 


nrn  to  noston  l  was  uismissea  ;  but  witnm  a  lew  days  tno 
governor  sent  for  me  to  interpret  a  conference  with  Bomma- 
zecn,  and  other  Indian^  then  in  jail. 

Some  time  aft(M'  I  was  again  put  in  pay  in  order  to  go  inter- 
preter with  Col.  IMiillips  and  Capt.  Southack,  in  the  province 
galley,  to  Casco  bay,  to  exchange  said  Indians  [Bommazeen 
and  others]  for  English  captives.  In  December,  1698,  we 
returned  to  Boston  with  several  captives  ■«vhich  we  had  libe- 
rated, and  I  was  dismissed  the  service,  and  desired  to  attend  it 
in  the  spring.  I  pleaded  to  be  kept  in  pay  that  I  might  have 
wherewith  to  support  myself  at  school.  I  went  into  the  conn- 
try,  to  Rowley,  where  bv.arding  was  cheajt,  to  practise  what 
little  I  had  attained  at  school. 

March,  1699.  With  the  little  of  my  wages  that  I  could 
reserve,  I  paid  for  my  schooling  and  board,  and  attended  the 
service  upon  request,  and  was  again  put  into  pay,  and  went 
with  Col.  Phillips  and  Maj.  Converse  in  a  large  brigantine  up 
Kennebeck  river  for  captives,  and  at  our  return  to  Boston  the 
province  galley  being  arrivf^d  from  New  York  with  my  lord 
Bellemont,  and  the  province  true]  nut  on  board,  I  w^as  ordered 
on  board  the  galley.  We  cruised  on  the  eastern  shore  ;  and 
in  Novend)er,  1699,  I  wns  put  out  of  pay,  though  I  pleaded  to 
be  conlinued  in  it,  seeing  I  must  attend  the  service  in  the 
spring,  and  be  at  considerable  expense  in  the  winter  for  my 
schooling. 

In  the  spring  of  1700, 1  attended  the  service,  and  was  under 
pay  again.  On  August  97th,  a  fort  was  ordered  to  be  built  at 
Casco  bay,  which  was  finislied  on  the  6th  of  October  following, 
and  the  province  truck  landed,  and  I  was  oidered  to  reside 
there  as  interpreter,  wnth  a  captain,  &c.  Not  long  after,  Goa\ 
Dudley  se./i  me  a  lieutenant's  commission,  with  a  memoran- 
dum on  its  back,  "  No  further  pay  but  as  mterpreter  at  three 
pounds  per  month." 


APPENDIX. 


107 


oymcnfs,  public 
'■r  of  the  s^arri- 


1698,  I  applied 
'"11  after  1  was 
go  as  his  iiitei- 

10  irovornmenl, 
■ch\ot\  to  o-o  as 
l.'ijor  Converse 
)lives.  At  our 
I  few  (lays  the 
■  with  Bomma- 

icr  to  go  inter- 
1  the  province 
*  [Bomniazeen 
bor,  1698,  we 
1  we  had  libe- 
rcd  to  attend  it 
t  I  might  have 
into  the  conn- 
practise  what 

«  that  I  could 
I  attended  the 
"•ay,  and  went 
brigantine  up 
to  Boston  the 
with  my  lord 
I  was  ordered 
1  siiore  ;  and 
1  I  pleaded  to 
ervice  in  the 
vinter  for  my 

nd  was  under 
to  be  built  at 
'or  following, 
I'od  to  reside 
g  after,  Gov. 
n  memoran- 
eter  at  three 


r 


August  10th,  1703.  The  French  and  Indians  besieged  our 
fort  tor  six  days.  (Major  !\Iarch  was  our  coinniander.)  On  the 
16th  of  the  same  month,  Capt.  Southack  arrived  in  the  prov- 
ince L'"alley,  an<l  in  the  niirht  fnllowintj  the  enemy  withdrew. 

May  Hiili,  1701.  I  received  a  few  lines  from  liis  cxc  ellency 
directing  me  to  leave  ,iy  post,  and  accom])any  Col.  Church  on 
an  expedition  round  lae  bay  ^.f  Fundy."^  September  following 
I  returned  to  my  post,  without  any  further  wages  or  encourage- 
ment for  that  service  than  the  beforementioned  pay  at  the 
garrison. 

April,  1706.  There  was  a  chatige  of  the  chief  officer  at  our 
garrisoji.  1  chos"  to  be  dismissed  with  my  old  officer,  which 
was  granted.  The  same  year  his  excellency  Gov.  Dudley 
presented  me  with  a  captain's  commission,  and  ordered  Colonel 
Saltonsiall  to  d.'tach  fifty  effective  men  to  be  delivered  to  me 
in  order  for  a  march.  In  May,  1707,  I  entered  on  an  expedi- 
tion under  Col.  j\Iarch,  for  Port  Royal,  at  the  termination  of 
which  I  was  dismissed. 

May  IStli,  1708,  I  received  orders  from  his  excellency  to  go 
to  Port  Royal  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  exchange  prisoners,  and 
brought  off  all.     At  my  return  I  was  dismissed  the  service. 

In  1709,  I  received  a  commission,  and  Colonel  Noyes  had 
orders  to  detach  forty  men,  whom  ho  put  under  me,  with  orders 
to  join  tl;e  forces  for  Canada.  At  Hull,  August  1st,  1709,  I 
received  orders  from  his  excellency  to  leave  my  company  with 
my  lieutenants,  and  go  to  Port  Royal  with  a  flag  of  truce  to 
exchange  prisoners.  I  went  in  the  sloop  Hannah  and  Ruth, 
Thomas  Waters,  master.  T  had  nine  French  prisoners,  Avhich 
were  all  that  were  in  our  governor's  hands.  These  he  ordered 
me  to  deliver  to  Gov.  Supercass,  "  and  to  let  him  know  that  he 
[Gov.  Dudley]  expected  him  to  deliver  all  the  English  prison- 
ers within  his  power,  within  six  days,  which  1  was  ordered  to 
demand  and  insist  upon,  agreeably  to  his  promise  last  year." 
I  was  ordered  to  ol)serve  to  him  that  Governor  Dudley  highly 
resented  his  breach  of  promise  in  Jiot  sending  them  errly  this 
spring,  acconling  to  his  parole  of  honor,  by  myself,  wiien  we 
had  returned  him  upwards  of  forty  of  his  people,  and  had 
made  provision  for  bringing  home  ours  ;  and  to  make  par- 
ticular inquiry  after  Capt.  Myles,  and  to  demand  his  and  his 
company's  release  also. 

Accordingly,  arriving  at  Port  Royal,  I  was  kindly  entertained 
by  Gov.  Supcrcass;  brought  ofl!'  above  one  hundred  prisoners. 
Soon  after  my  return  our  forces  were  dismissed,  and  I  received 

*  A  full  account  of  this  expedition  under  Col.  Church  will  be  found  in 
Church's  Histery  of  King  Philip's  War,  &cc.  ed.  12mo.,  Boston,  1827,  by 
the  editor  of  this. 


I 


f 


r 


I 


i-  " 


'     I 


108 


APPENDIX. 


no  other  considcralioii  lor  my  service  than  pay  as  captain  of 
my  company. 

August,  illC).  I  was  desired,  and  had  "-rcat  promises  made 
me  l)y  the  proprietors,  and  received  orders  from  his  excellency 
to  build  a  fort  at  I'ejepscoi,  [now  Brunswick,  Me.  |  Soon  after 
our  arrival  there  tlu-  Indians  came  in  the  ni;:rhl,  Jtnd  forbid  our 
layinsj;'  one  stone  upon  another.  I  told  them  1  came  with 
orders  from  Governor  DutUey  to  bnild  a  fort,  and  if  they  dis- 
liked it  they  might  ac((uaint  him  with  it;  and  that  if  they 
came  forcibly  upon  us.  they  or  I  should  fall  on  the  spot.  After 
such  like  Jiot  words  they  left  us,  and  we  went  on  with  our 
building,  and  finished  it,  November  25lh,  1715,  and  our  car- 
penters and  masons  left  us.  My  wages  were  very  small,  yet 
the  gentlemen  proprietors  ordered  me  only  live  pounds  for  my 
good  services,  &;c. 

July  12th,  1722,  a  number  of  Indians  engaged  fort  George 
about  tw^o  hours,  killing  one  person,  and  then  drew  off  to  kill- 
ing cattle,  &c. 

April,  1725,  I  received  orders  from  his  honor  Lieut.  Gov. 
Dummer  to  go  ten  days'  march  up  Vmmiscoggin  river,  and  in 
my  absence  the  Indians  killed  two  men  at  our  fort.  I  received 
no  further  pay  for  said  service,  only  the  pay  of  the  garrison. 

December  i2th,  1725,  I  was  dismissed  from  fort  George, 
and  Capt.  V/oodside  received  a  commission  for  the  command 
of  that  place. 

December  13th,  1725,  I  was  commissioned  for  the  garrison 
at  St.  George  river. 

September,  1726.  I  was  detained  some  months  from  my 
post,  by  order  of  Gov.  Dummer,  to  interpret  for  the  Cape  Sable 
Indians,  Avho  were  brought  in  and  found  guilty.^  There  was 
no  other  person  in  the  province  that  had  their  language.  His 
honor  and  the  hoimrable  council  presented  me  with  ten  pounds 
for  this  service,  which  I  gratefully  received. 

Nov.  2Sth,  172S,  I  was  commissioned  for  the  peace. 
'  I  have  had  the  honor  to  serve  this  province  under  eight 
commanders  in  chief,  governors,  and  lieutenant  governors,  from 
the  year  1698  to  the  year  1736  ;  and  how  much  longer  my 
services  may  continue  I  submit  to  the  Governor  of  the  world, 
■who  overrules  every  circumstance  of  life,  which  relates  to 
our  happiness  and  usefulness,  as  in  infinite  wisdom  he  sees 
meet. 


I 


*  There  were  five  of  them  belon^inp;  to  the  St.  Francis  tribe.  They 
had  seized  on  a  vessel  at  Nowt'oundhmd  belonging  to  Plymouth.  The 
act  being  considered  piracy,  they  were  all  executed  zi  Boston. — (Ed.) 
MS.  Chronicles  of  the  Indians. 


BURNING  OF  ROBERT  ROGERS 


109 


.IS  captain  of 

romisos  made 

lis  oxocllcticy 

.  I     Soon  after 

iiid  forbid  our 

I   came   with 

d  if  they  dis!;- 

1  that  if  they 

e  spot.    After 

on  with  our 

and  our  car- 

?ry  small,  yet 

lounds  for  my 

d  fort  George 
?w  olF  to  kill- 

r  Lieut.  Gov. 
L  river,  and  in 
t.  I  received 
le  p;arrison. 

fort  George, 
;he  command 

the  garrison 

ths  from  my 
e  Cape  Sable 
There  was 
iguage.  His 
h  ten  pounds 

eace. 

under  eight 
Ivernors,  from 
|i  longer  my 
pf  the  world, 

h  relates  to 
Idom  he  sees 


Is  tribe.  They 
K'mouth.  The 
ioston. — (Ed.) 


Be  calm,  my  Deli  lis,  and  serene, 

However  t'drtuiie  cluint^c  the  scene. 

In  tliy  nu)^l  dejected  stale. 

Sink  iu)l  iindc'iiicath  the  weicjhl ; 

Psiir  yet  wtn'ii  liai>py  day^'  lu'<^iii. 

And  the  I'tiU  title  comes  rolimg  in, 

Let  not  a  fierce  unruly  joy 

Till'  settled  (jiiiL"t  of  thy  mind  deslroy. 

Ilouever  lorliiiic  cliaii;^'e  ihe  scene. 

Be  cahn,  my  Dehus,  ami  serene. — Horace. 


THREE    NARRATIVES 

OF  EXCESSIVE  DTSTRESS  OF  PERSONS  TAKEN  AT  THE  DE- 
STRUCTION OF  SALMON  FALLS,  IN  THE  STATE  OF  NEW 
HAMPSHIRE,  ON  THE  TWENTY-SEVENTH  OF  MARCH,  1C90; 
VIZ.,  THE  CRUEL  TORTURE  OF  ROBERT  ROGERS,  THE  FIVE 
YEARS'  CAPTIVITY  OF  MEHETAHLE  GOODWIN,  AND  THE 
FORTUNATE  ESCAPE  OF  THOMAS  TOOGOOD.  FROM  THE 
MAGNALIA  CHRISTI  AMERICANA,  OF  DOCTOR  COTTON 
MATHER. 

When  the  news  of  the  destruction  of  Schenectady  reached 
New  England,  it  spread  great  alarm  over  the  whole  country. 
The  wise  men  gave  particular  caution  to  all  the  frontier  posts, 
urging  them  to  keep  strict  watch,  and  to  make  strong  their 
fortifications  ;  but  the  people  in  the  east  did  not  their  duty, 
and  Salmon  Falls,  a  fine  settlement  upon  a  branch  of  Pascat- 
aqua  river,  fell  into  the  hands  of  an  infuriated  and  cruel  enemy  ; 
the  particulars  Avhereof  are  at  large  set  forth  in  the  work  enti- 
tled TiiF.  Book  of  the  Indians,  to  which  we  have  before  re- 
ferred. 

But,  as  has  been  observed,  notwithstanding  these  warnings 
the  people  dreamed,  that  while  the  deep  snow  of  the  winter 
continued,  they  were  safe  enough,  which  proved  as  vain  as  a 
dream  of  a  dry  summer.  Near  thirty  persons  were  slain,  and 
more  than  fifty  were  led  into  what  the  reader  will  by  and  by 
call  the  worst  captivity  in  the  world.  It  would  be  a  long  story 
to  tell  what  a  particular  share  in  this  calamity  fell  to  the  lot  of 
the  family  of  one  Clement  Short.  This  honest  man  with  his 
pious  wife  and  three  children  were  killed,  and  six  or  seven 
others  of  their  children  were  made  prisoners.  The  most  of 
these  arrived  safe  at  Canada,  through  a  thousand  hardships, 
and  the  most  of  these  were  with  more  than  a  thousand  mer- 

10 


m 


no 


BL'RMNG  OF  ROBERT  ROGERS. 


cms  aflcruards  redecmccl  from  Canada,  and  returned  unto 
tln-ir  [Mii^lish  friends  again.  Hut  as  we  cannot  take  notice  of 
all  ilie  indi\idu;>ls,  we  will  pass  to  the  notice  of  those  named 
at  the  cornnienrciTient  of  this  narrative. 

Among'  the  prisoners  was  one  Kohert  Rogers,  with  whom  as 
the  Indians  journeyed  they  came  to  a  hill,  wliere  this  man, 
(bi'ini,''  ilirDUgh  his  corpulency  called  Rnh'ni  Pork)  lioing  under 
such  an  intolerable  and  unsupportablo  burden  of  Indian  lug- 
ga<je,  was  not  so  able  to  travel  as  the  rest ;  he  therefore, 
watching  for  an  opportunity,  made  his  escape.  The  wretches 
missing  him,  immediately  went  in  pursuit  of  him,  and  it  was 
not  long  before  they  found  his  burden  cast  in  the  way,  and  the 
tracks  of  his  feet  going  out  of  the  way.  This  they  followed, 
and  found  him  hid  in  a  hollow  tree.  They  dragged  him  out, 
stripped  him,  heat  and  pricked  him,  pushed  him  forward  with 
the  points  of  their  swords,  until  they  got  back  to  the  hill  from 
whence  he  had  escaped.  It  being  almost  night,  they  fastened 
him  to  a  tree,  with  his  hands  behind  him,  then  made  them- 
selves a  supper,  singing  and  dancing  around  him,  roaring,  and 
uttering  gr(>at  and  many  signs  of  joy,  but  with  joy  little  enough 
to  the  poor  creature  who  foresaw  what  all  this  tended  to. 

The  Indians  next  cut  a  parcel  of  wood,  and  bringing  it  into  a 
plain  place,  they  cut  oft' the  top  of  a  small  red-oak  tree,  leaving 
the  trunk  for  a  stake,  whcrcunto  they  bound  their  sacrifice. 
They  first  made  a  great  fire  near  this  tree  of  dcatJi,  and 
bringing  Rogers  unto  it,  bid  him  take  his  leave  of  his  friends, 
which  he  did  in  a  doleful  manner,  such  as  no  pen,  though 
made  of  a  harpy's  quill,  were  able  to  describe  the  dolor  of  it. 
They  then  allowed  him  a  little  time  to  make  his  prayers  unto 
heaven,  which  ho  did  with  an  extreme  fervency  and  agony; 
whereupon  they  bound  him  to  the  stake,  and  brought  the  rest  of 
the  prisoners,  with  their  arms  tied  each  to  the  other,  and  seat- 
ed them  round  the  lire.  This  being  done,  they  went  behind 
the  fire,  and  thrust  it  forwards  upon  the  man  with  much  laugh- 
ter and  shouting  ;  and  when  the  fire  had  burnt  some  time  upon 
him,  even  till  he  was  almost  suffocated,  they  pulled av/ay  from 
him,  to  prolong  his  existence.  They  now  resumed  their  dan- 
cing around  him,  and  at  every  turn  they  did  with  their  knives 
cut  collops  of  his  flesh  out  of  his  naked  limbs,  and  throw  them 
with  his  blood  into  his  face.  In  this  manner  Avas  their  work 
continued  until  he  expired. 

Being  now  dead,  they  set  his  body  down  upon  the  glowing 
coals  of  fire,  and  thus  left  him  tied  with  his  back  to  the  stake, 
where  he  was  found  by  some  English  forces  scoii  after,  who 
were  in  pursuit  of  these  Indians. 


f 


MEHETABLE  GOODWIN. 


Ill 


turned  unto 
ike  notice  of 
those  named 

ith  whom  as 

■e  this  man, 

being  under 

Indian    lug- 

le  therefore, 

!'he  wretches 

,  and   it  was 

*vay,  and  the 

ley  followed, 

led  him  out, 

orward  with 

tlie  hill  from 

hey  fastened 

made   them- 

roaring,  and 

little  enough 

ded  to. 

iging  it  into  a 

tree,  leaving 

eir   sacrifice. 

r  dcalh,    and 

his   friends, 

pen,  though 

!  dolor  of  it. 

prayers  unto 

and  agony ; 

It  the  rest  of 

er,  and  seat- 

^vent   behind 

much  laugh- 

le  time  upon 

I  away  from 

d  their  dan- 

their  knives 

I  throw  them 
s  their  work 

the  glowing 
lo  the  stake, 

II  after,  who 


up  to  he 

it  was  exhaust(Hl  ami 
days    preserved    the    \\ 
travel    with    his   own 


Mehetable  Goodwin,  another  of  the  captives  of  this  hand 
of  Indians,  who,  it  will  be  proper  to  notice,  wer-,-  led  by  tlm  re- 
nowned Indian  chief  Ilopehood, had  a  child  with  ln-r  iiliiiut  live 
months  old.  Thi.<,  thrcn^li  hunger  and  hardship,  ^jie  being 
unable  to  nourish  from  her  l)reasi,  occasioned  it  to  make  griev- 
ous and  distressing  ejaculations.  Her  Indian  master  idid  her 
that  if  the  child  were  not  (inict  he  would  soon  dispose  of  it, 
which  caused  her  to  use  all  possible  means  that  his  Ntlop- 
ship*^  might  not  be  olfended  ;  and  sometimes  she  w(tuld  carry 
it  from  the  (ire  out  of  his  hearing-,  when  she  would  sit  ditwu 
waist  in  the  snow,  fur  several  hours  together,  until 
hilled  to  sI(M'p.  !*^be  thus  fu-  several 
fe  of  her  babe,  until  he  saw  cause  to 
cubs  farther  atield  ;  and  then,  lesi  he 
should  be  retarded  in  his  travel,  he  violently  snatched  the 
babe  out  of  its  mother's  arms,  and  befi're  her  face  knocked 
out  its  brains  ;  and  having  stri})))ed  it  of  its  few  rags  it  had 
hitherto  enjoyed,  ordered  the  mother  to  go  and  wash  them  of 
the  blood  wherewith  they  w^ere  stained  !  Returning  from  this 
sad  and  melancholv  task,  she  found  the  infant  hanuinii'  bv  'he 
neclc  in  a  forked  bough  of  a  tree.  She  requested  liberty  to 
lay  it  in  the  eartli,  hut  the  savage  said,  "  It  is  better  as  it  is, 
for  now  the  wild  beasts  cannot  come  at  it;"  fl  am  sure  they 
had  been  at  it  ;]t  "and  you  may  have  the  comfort  of  seeing  it 
again,  if  ever  you  come  that  way." 

The  journey  now  before  them  was  like  to  be  very  long,  as 
far  as  Canada,  where  Mrs.  Goodwin's  master's  purpose  was  to 
make  merchandise  of  her,  and  glad  was  she  to  hear  such 
happy  tidings.  But  the  desperate  length  of  the  way,  and 
want  of  food,  and  grief  of  mind,  wherewith  slie  was  runv  en- 
counteretl,  caused  her  within  a  few  days  to  faint  under  her 
didiculties ;  when,  at  kngth,  she  sat  down  for  some  repose, 
with  many  prayers  and  tears  unto  God  for  the  salvation  (/f  her 
soul,  she  found  herself  unable  to  rise,  until  she  saw  her  furi- 
ous executioner  coming  towards  her  v.ith  tire  in  his  eyes, 
the  devil  in  his  heart,  and  his  haichet  in  his  hand,  r(>ady  to 
bestow  a  mercy-stroke  of  death  upon  her.  Then  it  was  that 
this  poor  captive  woman,  in  this  extreme  misery,  got  upon  her 
knees,  and  with  weeping  and  wailing  and  all  expri'ssi.jus  of 
agony  and  entreaty,  prevailed  on  him  to  spare  her  '"fe  a  little 
longer,  and  she  did  not  question  but  God  would  enable  her  to 

•*  One  of  Dr.  Mather's  miserable  misapplications  of  words.  Netop, 
among  the  Indians,  signified /m«^/. — Ed. 


'Hi 


^^1 


( 


1' 


f ) 


Ed 


1 1  need  not  remind  the  reader  that  this  is  no  interpretation  of  mine. — 


4 

.y 


% 


r 


112 


THOMAS  TOOGOOD. 


walk  a  little  faster.  The  merciless  tyrant  wns  prevailed  with 
to  spare  her  this  time;  nevertlieh-ss  her  forini  r  'veakness 
]uickly  returning  upon  lier,  he  wa,>  just  j,'"oinc^  to  rrnrdev  her, 
when  a  couple  of  Indians,  just  at  this  moment  c^-mino-  in, 
called  suddeidy  upon  him  to  hoUl  his  hand.  At  lliis  such  a 
horror  sur])rised  his  fjnihy  soul,  mat  he  ran  away  from  her; 
but  hearing  them  call  his  name,  he  returned,  and  then  permit- 
ted these  his  friends  to  ransom  his  prisoner. 

After  theae  events,  as  we  were  seated  by  the  side  of  a  river, 
we  heard  several  j^uns  <^o  oiV  on  the  opposite  side,  *vliich  the 
Indians  concluded  was  occasioned  by  a  parly  of  Albany  Indians, 
who  were  their  enemies.  Whereupon  this  bold  blade  I  her  old 
master]  would  needs  go  in  a  canoe  to  discover  what  they  were. 
They  iired  upon  and  shot  him  through,  together  with  several 
of  his  friends,  before  the  discovery  could  be  made.  Some 
days  after  this,  divers  of  his  friends  gathered  a  party  to  re- 
venge his  death  on  their  supposed  enemies.  With  these  they 
soon  joined  battle,  and  alter  several  hours'  hard  (ighting  were 
tlieinselves  put  to  the  rout.  Among  the  captives  which  they 
leA  in  their  flight  was  this  poor  ^''oman,  who  was  overjoyed, 
supposing  herself  now  at  liberty  ;  but  her  joy  did  not  last  long, 
for  these  Indians  were  of  the  same  sort  as  the  others,  and  had 
been  by  their  own  friends,  thus  through  a  strange  mistake,  set 
upon. 

However,  this  crew  proved  more  favorable  to  her  than  the 
former,  and  went  away  silently  with  their  booty  ;  being  loath 
to  have  any  noise  made  of  their  foul  mistake.  And  yet  a  few 
days  after,  such  another  mistake  happened ;  for  meeting  with 
another  party  of  Indians,  which  they  imagined  were  in  the 
English  interest,  they  also  furiously  engaged  each  other,  and 
many  were  killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides  ;  but  the  con- 
querors proved  to  be  a  party  of  French  Indians  this  time,  who 
took  this  poor  Mrs.  Goodwin  and  presented  her  to  the  French 
captain  of  the  party,  by  whom  she  was  carried  to  Canada, 
where  she  continued  five  years.  After  which  she  was  brought 
safely  back  to  New  England. 

Thomas  Toogood's  short  nai'ralive  is  iniroduced  tc  relieve 
the  reader  from  the  contemplation  of  blood  and  misery.  At 
the  same  time  the  other  captives  were  taken,  three  Indians 
hotly  pursued  this  man,  and  one  of  them  overtaking  him,  while 
the  rest  perceiving  it,  staid  behind  the  hill,  having  seen  him 
quietly  yield  himself  a  prisoner.  While  the  Indian  was  get- 
ting out  his  strings  to  bind  his  prisoner,  he  held  his  gun  under 
his  arm,  which  Toogood  observing,  suddenly  sprang  and 
wrested  it  from  him  j  and  momentarily  presenting  it  at  the 


} 


ELIZABZTH  II ANSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


113 


■vailed  with 

r  'veakncss 

mirdor  her, 

Ci.Miiriir   in, 

llli^  siioh  a 
y^  from  her  ; 
hen  perrnit- 

3  of  a  river, 
H'liich  the 
my  Indians, 
uie  I  her  old 
they  were. 
I'ith  several 
de.  Some 
larty  to  re- 
these  they 
diting  were 
vhich  they 
I  overjoyed, 
?t  last  long, 
rs,  and  had 
nistake,  set 

r  than  the 
)eing  loath 
yet  a  few 
eting-  with 
re  in  the 
other,  and 
the  con- 
time,  who 
le  French 
3  Canada, 
IS  hrought 


tc  relieve 
sery.  At 
e  Indians 
im,  while 
t^een  him 
was  get- 
:un  under 
ang  and 
it  at  the 


t 


Indian,  protested  he  would  shoot  him  down  if  JHMnndiMho  least 
noise.  Am\  so  away  he  ran  with  it  unto  (.iiidihci-lio.  If  my 
reader  he  now  inclined  to  smile,  wIkmi  ho  thinks  how  simply 
poor  hgrim  looked,  retnrnim(  to  liis  inai<\-<  hrli'iid  llie  hill, 
without  either  gun  or  prey,  or  any  thing-  hut -'rings,  to  ret^i•^l 
him  of  his  own  deserts,  1  am  sure  his  brethren  felt  not  lt's>  so, 
for  they  de~ided  him  with  ridicule  at  his  misadventure.  The 
Indians  are  singv«larly  exfossive  in  the  ))rai"tice  of  sporting 
at  the  misfortunes  of  one  anotiifr  in  any  case  they  arr-  outwit- 
ted, or  have  be^n  guilty  of  committing  any  blunder. 

Mary  Plaisted  was  another  of  the  unfortunate  captives  at 
that  time  and  place,  but  only  a  few  particulars  of  extrcMne  suf- 
ferings are  related.  She  had  been  out  of  her  bed  of  f:^mily 
sickness  but  three  weeks  wh(>n  she  was  taken,  and  like  others 
she  was  obliged  to  wade  through  swamps  and  snow,  when  at 
length  she  was  relieved  of  the  burthen  of  her  inbmtson  by  her 
cruel  master,  who,  after  dashing  out  its  bruins,  threw  it  into  a 
river  J 


GOD'S  MERCY  SURMOUNTING  MAN'S 

CRUELTY, 

EXEMPLIFIED  IN  THE  CAPTIVITY  AND  SURPRISING  DELIVE- 
RANCE OK  ELIZABETH  HANSON,  WIFE  OK  JOHN  HANSON, 
OF  KNOXMARSH,  AT  KECHEACHV,  1\  DOVER  TOWNSHIP, 
WHO  WAS  TAKEN  CAPTIVE  WITH  HER  CHILDREN  AND 
MAID-SERVANT,  BY  THE  INDIANS  IN  NEW  ENGLAND,  IN 
THE  YEAR  17-21.— Tlie  substance  of  which  wns  taken  from  her  own 
mouth,  and  now  piil)lisl\eil  for  ijeneral  service.  The  third  •■'dition.— Phila- 
delphia: reprinted;  Danvers,  near  Salein  :  reprinted  and  sold  hy  E.  Russell, 
next  the  Bell  Tavern,  MDCCLXXX.  At  the  same  place  may  he  had  a 
number  of  new  Books,  &,c.,  some  of  which  are  on  the  times. — Cash  paid  for 
Rags. 


[C7°  This  edition  of  Mrs.  Hanson's  nnrr.itive  is  copied  from  thnt  print -d 
at  Dover,  N.  H.,  in  1821.  Tin*  above  is  ii  copy  of  the  title  pa<,^'  of  that 
of  1780.  These  editions  correspcmd,  and  I  have  di.soovered  no  disn^ree- 
ments  in  them.  From  a  MS.  extract,  in  tlu  hand-wriiinij  of  ;\Ir.  John 
Farmer,  upon  the  cover  of  a  copy  of  the  Dcver  edition,  it  s(v>ins  thcri'  was 
some  doubt  in  his  mind  about  the  e.xnct  date  of  the  capture  ot  the  Ilan- 
scm  family;  for  in  that  memorandum  pbove  mentioned,  purportinf<  to 
have  been  taken  from  the  IJoston  Ntnvs- Letter  of  1722.  it  is  stated  to  have 
happened  on  the  27th  of  Auj^ust  of  thai  year.  T  have  not  been  able  to 
refer  to  the  News-Letter,  but  I  iind  the  event  noticed  in  Pembertou's  MS 
Chronolo^  a.s  happening  on  the  7th  of  September,   1724.     I  have  no 


iii 


lit 


I 


114 


ELIZAHETH  HANSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


doubt  of  tlie  corrcctiif'ss  of  the  dn\o  in  the  narrative,  myself,  but  mention 
the  Ihct,  thiU  some  bmlher  aiiti(iu:iry  may  have  the  pleasure  which  may 
acerue  from  a  i  investisalion. — Kd. 


RemarkjULLE  and  many  arc  the  providences  of  God  toward" 
his  pe()j)le  for  their  d(;liveranc€;  in  a  time  of  tronlji(>,  hy  which 
we  may  behold,  as  in  lively  characters,  the  truth  of  that  staying, 
"  That  he  is  a  God  near  at  liand,  and  always  ready  to  help  and 
assist  those  that  fear  him  and  put  their  confidence  in  lum." 

The  sacred  writings  give  us  instances  of  the  truth  hereof  in 
days  of  old,  as  in  the  cases  of  the  Israelites,  Job,  David,  Dan- 
iel, Paul,  Silas,  and  many  others.  Besides  which,  our  mode-n 
histories  have  plentifully  abounded  with  instances  of  God's 
fatherly  care  over  h's  people,  in  their  sharpest  trials,  deepest 
distresses,  and  sorest  exercises,  by  which  we  may  ii'now  he  is 
a  God  that  changeth  not,  but  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and 
I'orever. 

Among  the  many  modern  instances,  I  think  I  have  not  met 
with  a  more  singular  one  of  the  mercy  and  preserving  hand  of 
God,  than  in  the  case  of  Elizabeth  Hanson,  wife  of  John 
Hanson,  of  Knoxmarsh,*  in  Kecheachy,  [Cochecho]  in  Dover 
township,  in  New  England,  who  was  taken  into  captivity  the 
tv/enty-seventh  day  of  the  sixth  month,  called  June,  1724,  and 
carried  away  (with  four  children  and  a  servant)  by  the  Indians; 
which  relation,  as  it  was  taken  from  her  own  mouth,  by  a  friend, 
is  as  follows: 

As  soon  as  the  Indians  discovered  themselves,  ('laving,  as  we 
afterwards  understood,  been  skulking  in  the  fields  some  days, 
watching  their  opportunity,  when  my  dear  husband,  with  the 
rest  of  our  men,  were  gone  out  of  the  way,)  two  of  them  came 
in  upon  us,  and  then  eleven  more,  all  naked,  .vith  their  gims 
and  tomahawks,  and  in  a  great  fury  killed  one  child  immedi- 
ately, as  soon  as  they  entered  the  door,  thinking  thereby  to 
strike  in  us  the  greater  terror,  and  to  make  us  more  fearful  of 
them.  After  which,  in  like  fury,  the  captain  came  up  to  me ; 
but  at  my  request  he  gave  me  quarter.  There  were  with  me 
our  servant  and  six  of  our  children  ;  two  of  iho  little  ones  being 
at  play  about  the  orchard,  and  my  youngest  child,  but  fourteen 
days  old,  whether  in  cradle  or  arms,  I  now  remember  not. 
Being  in  this  condition,  I  was  very  unfi'.  for  the  hardships  I 
after  met  with,  which  I  shall  endeavor  briefly  to  relate. 

They  went  to  rifling  the  house  in  a  great  hurry,  (fearing,  as 
I  suppose,  a  surprise  from  our  people,  it  being  late  in  the  after- 
noon,) and  packed  up  some  linen,  woollen  and  what  other 

*  A  name,  the  use  of  which  was  long  since  disconunued. — Ed. 


[' 


:l 


ELIZAr.RTH   ffAXSO.WS  CAI'TIVITY. 


Ui 


\  but  mention 
e  which  may 


rod  toward" 
s,  by  which 
hat  flaying, 
to  help  and 
n  him." 
;h  hereof  in 
)avid,  Dan- 
our  mode-n 
IS  of  God's 
tiJs,  deepest 
know  he  is 
,  to-day  and 

ive  not  met 
ng^  hand  of 
fe  of  John 
)]  in  Dover 
iptivity  the 
,  1724,  and 
le  Indians; 
by  a  friend, 

vinf^,  as  we 

Konic  days, 

d,  with  the 

them  came 

their  guns 

d  immedi- 

thereby  to 

fearful  of 

up  to  me ; 

re  with  me 

ones  being 

It  fourteen 

mber  not. 

mrdships  I 

te. 

fearing-,  as 
1  the  after- 
i^hat  other 

—  Ed. 


things  pleased  them  best,  iiml  when  they  hid  done  what  they 
would,  they  turned  out  d  the  iiouse  immediiitf^ly  ;  and  while 
they  were  at  the  door,  two  of  my  yo'iiiLT'^r  chiblrfn.  ouf  six, 
and  the  other  four  years  old,  came  in  sit-'ht,  and  being  under 
i»  great  surprise,  cried  aloud,  upon  winch  one  of  the  Indians 
rinming  to  thftn,  took  them  utider  th-,  arms,  aiul  brouirht  th<>m 
to  us.  My  maid  prevailed  with  the  biirgest  to  be  quiet  and 
still;  but  the  other  could  by  no  means  f)e  prevailed  with,  but 
continued  shrieking  and  crying  very  much,  and  the  Indians,  to 
ease  themselves  of  the  noise,  and  to  prevent  the  danger  of  a 
discovery  that  might  arise  from  it,  immediately,  b(>fore  my  face, 
knocked  his  brains  out.  I  bore  this  as  well  as  I  could,  not 
daring  to  appear  disturbed  or  to  show  nnich  uneasiness,  lest 
they  should  d..  the  same  to  the  others  ;  but  should  have  been 
exceeding  glad  if  they  had  kept  out  of  sight  until  we  had  gone 
from  the  house. 

Now  having  killed  two  of  my  children,  they  scalped  them, 
(a  practice  common  with  these  people,  which  is,  whenever  they 
kill  any  enemies,  they  cut  the  skin  off  from  the  crown  of  their 
heads,  and  carry  it  with  them  for  a  testimony  and  evidence 
that  they  have  killed  so  many,  receiving  sometimes  a  reward 
for  every  scalp,)  and  then  ptit  forward  to  leave  t'ne  house  in 
great  haste,  without  doing  any  other  spoil  than  taking  what 
they  had  packed  together,  with  myself  and  little  babe,  fourteen 
days  old,  the  boy  six  years,  and  two  daughters,  the  one  about 
fourteen  and  the  other  about  sixteen  years,  with  my  servant 

It  must  be  considered,  that  I  having  lain  in  but  fourteen  days, 
and  being  but  very  tender  and  weakly,  and  removed  now  out 
of  a  good  room,  well  accommodated  with  fire,  bedding,  and 
other  things  suiting  a  person  in  my  condition,  it  made  these 
hardships  to  me  greater  than  if  I  had  been  in  a  strong  and 
healthy  frame ;  yet,  for  all  this,  I  must  go  or  die.  There  was 
no  resistance. 

In  this  condition  aforesaid  we  left  the  house,  each  Indian 
having  something  ;  and  I  with  my  babe  and  three  children  that 
could  go  of  t'^emselves.  The  captain,  though  he  had  as  great 
a  load  as  he  could  well  carry,  and  was  helped  up  with  it,  did, 
for  all  that,  carry  my  babe  for  me  in  his  arms,  which  I  took  to 
be  a  favor  from  him.  Thus  we  went  through  several  swamps 
and  some  brooks,  they  carefully  avoiding  all  paths  of  any  track 
like  a  road,  lest  by  our  footsteps  we  should  be  followed. 

We  got  that  night,  I  suppose,  not  quite  ten  miles  from  our 
house  in  a  direct  line  ;  then  taking  up  their  quarters,  lighted  a 
fire,  some  of  them  lying  down,  while  others  kept  watch.     I 


I 


j.ii 


. 


116 


ELIZAHF/ni  HANSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


I  >     ti 


(      '^ 


bointr  both  wot  and  wfiiry,  nnd  lyinc,'  on  llm  rold  irrnund  in  iho. 
opi-n  woods,  took  hut  little  rest. 

Ho\vrv(^r,  (Mirly  in  tlio  morning,  wo  must  p*n  just  as  tho  day 
appcnrt'd,  travcll'  <■  very  hard  all  that  day  ihrouirh  -sundry 
rivf-rs,  hrooKs  an»  -nnps,  they,  as  hcforc  i-art'(nlly  avoidinjr 
all  paths  lor  the  ro.  already  assitrncd.  At  niirlit,  I  was  both 
wot  and  tirtMJ  oxooodiuf^Hy  ;  havinir  the  sninr-  lodLMnif  on  the 
cold  j,'round,  in  the  oj)en  woods.  Thus,  for  twenty-si\  days, 
day  by  day  we  travelled  very  hard,  sometimes  n  \\\\\v  by  water, 
over  lakes  and  ,)onds  ;  and  in  this  journey  we  wrMil  up  some 
h\<^\\  mountains,  so  steep  that  I  was  I'orcod  to  creep  up  on  my 
hands  and  knees;  under  which  (Ii(]u'ulty,  iho  Indian,  my  mas- 
tor,  would  mostly  carry  my  l)abo  Cor  nie,  wliich  I  took  as  a 
n-reat  favor  of  (iod,  that  his  heart  was  so  tenderly  inclined  to 
assist  me,  tiiouLfh  he  had,  as  it  is  said,  a  very  heavy  burden 
of  his  own  ;  nay,  he  would  sonietimc^s  take  my  very  })lankot, 
so  tliat  I  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  take  my  little  boy  })y  the 
hand  for  bis  Indp,  and  assist  liim  as  well  as  I  could,  takitii,''  him 
up  in  my  arms  a  little  at  timers,  because  so  small  ;  and  when 
we  came  to  very  bad  pla('es,  be  would  lend  trio  his  hand,  or 
comiufi^  behind,  would  push  me  before  him  ;  in  all  which,  he 
showetl  some  humanity  and  civility,  more  than  I  could  have 
expected  :  for  which  privileije  I  was  secretly  thankful  to  God, 
as  the  movin*:^  cause  thereof. 

Next  to  this  we  had  some  very  great  runs  of  water  and 
brooks  to  wade  ihrough,  in  which  at  times  we  met  with  much 
difiiculty,  wadinjT  often  to  our  middles,  and  sometime?  our  girls 
were  up  to  their  shoulders  and  chins,  the  Indians  carrying  my 
boy  on  their  shoulders.  At  the  side  of  one  of  these  runs  or 
rivers,  the  Indians  would  have  my  eldest  daughter,  Sarah,  to 
sing  them  a  song.  Then  was  brought  into  her  remembrance 
that  passage  in  the  137th  Psalm,  "  By  the  rivers  of  Babylon," 
[&c.]  When  my  poor  child  had  given  me  this  account,  it  was 
very  aflecting,  and  my  heart  was  very  full  of  trouble,  yet  on 
my  child's  account  I  was  glad  that  she  had  so  good  an  incli- 
nation, which  she  yet  further  manifested  in  longing  for  a  Bible, 
that  \ve  might  have  the  comfort  of  reading  the  holy  text  at 
vacant  times,  for  our  spiritual  comfort  under  our  present  afflic- 
tion. 

Next  to  the  difficulties  of  the  rivers,  v/ere  the  prodigious 
swamps  and  thickets,  very  difTicult  to  pass  through,  in  which 
places  my  master  would  sometimes  lead  me  by  the  hand,  a 
great  way  together,  and  give  me  what  help  he  was  capable  of, 
under  the  straits  wo  went  through ;  and  we,  passing,  one 
after  another,  the  first  made  it  pretty  passable  for  the  hindmost. 

But  the  greatest  difficulty,  that  deserves  the  first  to  be  named, 


i 


ELIZABF/ni    HANSONS    CAPTIVITY. 


117 


unci  in  tho 

as  tho  day 
r\\   sundry 
y  avoiding' 
I  was  })f)tli 
■in<:  on  iIk; 
y-si\  days, 
'  hy  watpr, 
It  lip  some 
lip  on  my 
1,  my  mas- 
took  as  a 
inclined  to 
ivy  liurdon 
ry  blanket, 
hoy  hy  the 
takirif^  him 
and  when 
is  hand,  or 
which,  he 
con  Id  have 
"nl  to  God, 

water  and 

with  much 

's  our  girls 

rryinn-  my 

se  runs  or 

Sarah,  to 

nemhrance 

Babylon," 

unt,  it  was 

le,  yet  on 

d  an  incli- 

or  a  Bible, 

oly  text  at 

sent  afflic- 

prodigious 
,  in  which 
hand,  a 
capable  of, 
=;ping,  one 
hindmost, 
be  named, 


\ 


was  want  of  food,  havinuf  at  times  notliirjc  to  cat  but  pieces  of 
old  b<Mivt;r-skin  maifh-i-oats.  whiih  the  Indian^  havinir  hid.  (for 
tlicy  canu*  nakfi!  as  is  >aid  b('tor(\)  uliich  in  ihcir  iroiiii;  back 
again  ihcy  look  with  iliom,  and  they  wert»  used  u\nrr  for  food 
than  raiment.  Hcinir  cut  into  b)nuf  narrow  >iraps.  they  gave 
Us  liltb»  |)it'ccs,  which  by  the  Indians'  exaniplt!  we  biid  on  the 
fire  until  the  hair  was  sing(^d  away,  and  then  we  ale  them  as 
a  sweet  morsel,  experiincntally  knowing  "that  to  the  hungry 
soul  every  bitter  thing  is  sweet." 

It  is  to  be  considi'red  further,  that  of  this  poor  diet  we  had 
but  very  scanty  alLtwaiice  ;  so  that  we  were  in  no  dau'^er  of 
being  overcharged.  But  that  which  added  to  my  trouble,  was 
the  complaints  of  my  poor  children,  especially  the  little  boy. 
Sonu'times  the  Indians  woiild  catch  a  siiuirrtd  or  beaver,  and 
at  other  times  we  nn^t  with  nuts,  berries,  and  roots  which  they 
diirired  out  of  th«>  i/round,  witii  the  bark  of  somk;  trees  ;  but  we 
had  no  corn  for  a  great  while  together,  though  some  of  the 
younger  Indians  went  back  and  brought  some  i-orn  from  the 
English  inhabitants,  (the  harvest  not  being  gatlu^ed,)  of  which 
we  had  a  little  allowed  us.  Hut  when  they  caught  a  beaver, 
we  lived  high  while  it  lasted  ;  they  allowed  me  the  guts  and 
garbage  for  myself  and  children  ;  but  not  allowing  \is  to  clean 
and  wash  them,  as  they  ought,  made  the  food  very  irksome  to 
us  to  feed  upon,  and  nothing  besides  pinching  hunger  could 
have  made  it  any  way  tolerable  to  be  borne. 

The  next  difficulty  was  no  less  ho  "1  to  me  ;  for  my  daily 
travel  and  hard  living  made  my  milk  .ry  almost  quite  up,  and 
how  to  preserve  my  poor  babe's  life  was  no  small  care  on  my 
mind  ;  having  no  other  su.slenance  for  her,  many  times,  but 
cold  water,  which  I  took  in  my  mouth,  and  let  it  fall  on  my 
breast,  when  I  gave  her  the  teat  to  suck  in,  with  what  it  could 
gel  from  tlu}  breast ;  and  when  I  had  any  of  the  broth  of  the 
beaver's  guts,  or  otfier  units,  I  fed  my  babe  with  it,  and  as  well 
as  I  could  I  preserved  her  life  until  1  got  to  Canada,  and  then 
I  had  some  other  food,  of  which,  more  in  its  place. 

Having  by  this  time  got  considerably  on  the  way,  the  Indians 
parted,  and  v/e  were  divided  amongst  them.  This  was  a  sore 
grief  to  us  all ;  but  we  must  submit,  and  no  way  to  help  our- 
selves. My  eldest  daughter  was  first  taken  away,  and  carried 
to  another  part  of  the  country,  far  distant  from  us,  where  for 
the  present  we  must  take  leave  of  her,  though  with  a  heavy 
heart. 

We  di  1  not  travel  far  after  this,  before  they  divided  again, 
taking  my  second  daughter  and  servant  maid  from  me,  into 
another  part  of  the  country.  So,  I  having  now  only  my  babe 
at  my  breast,  and  little  boy  six  years  old,  we  ramained  with 


i 


IIR 


KLIZABETII  HANSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


I 


the  I'Jiptaiii  slill.  Jiul  my  diUHilitcr  iiml  Mrviint  uiKlcrwonl 
prcul  h!ir(hliips  nftt-r  they  wen'  parted  from  mr-,  inivclliii!.''  throe 
(lays  witlioiii  any  food,  takiiit'^  notliin^  lor  Mipport  Imt  cold 
WiilfT  ;  and  llio  third  day,  what  with  the  cidd,  the  wtl,  and 
hnn'jcr,  thr  servant  fell  down  a*^  th'ad  in  a  >wu(in,  hcini.'  hoih 
very  fohl  imd  wet,  at  whi'di  the  Indian^,  with  u  hum  tht-y  wore, 
wiTO  surprised,  showing'"  some  kind  ol  len(h'rncss,  bcinpf  iinwil- 
linc^  then  to  htsc  them  hy  (h'ath.  havin;^'  yot  them  so  near  homo  ; 
hoping-,  if  they  lived,  hy  their  ransom  to  make  (•(msi(lerai>le 
prolit  of  theni. 

In  a  few  days  after  this,  ihoy  cfot  rioar  iheir  i<»urney's  end, 
wln-re  they  had  more  plenty  of  Cdrn,  and  other  fond.  Hot 
flesh  olten  f(dl  V(M'y  short,  liavitiL!'  no  other  wav  lo  depend  on 
for  it  hilt  hwntiiii]^;  and  when  that  failed,  they  had  very  short 
commons.  It  was  not  loni;  ere  my  daughter  and  .s(<rvant  were 
likewise  parted,  and  my  dane'hicr's  master  heinjj  sick,  was  not 
ahle  lo  hunt  for  flesh  ;  neither  had  they  iuiy  corn  in  that  place, 
hut  were  lorced  to  eat  hark  (d  trees  for  a  whole  week'. 

lieing  almost  famished  in  this  distress,  Providence  so  order- 
ed that  some  other  Indians,  hearinir  of  their  misery,  came  to 
visit  them,  (these  people  being  very  kind  and  helpful  to  one 
another,  which  is  very  commendahle,)  and  hroiiirhi  to  ihem  the 
puts  and  liver  of  a  heaver,  which  allorded  them  a  ffood  repast, 
being-  but  four  in  number,  the  Indian,  his  wife  and  daughter,  and 
my  daughter. 

By  this  time  my  master  and  our  company  got  to  our  jour- 
ney's end,  where  we  were;  hotter  fed  at  times,  having  some 
corn  and  venison,  and  wild  fowl,  or  what  they  could  catch  by 
hiniting  in  the  woods  ;  and  my  master  having  a  large  family, 
fifteen  in  mimher,  we  had  at  times  very  short  connnons,  more 
especially  when  game  was  scarce. 

But  here  our  lodging  was  still  on  the  cold  ground,  in  a  poor 
wigwam,  (which  is  a  kind  of  little  shelter  made  with  the  rind 
of  trees,  and  mats  for.  a  covering,  something  like  a  t(mt.)  These 
are  so  easily  set  up  and  taken  down,  that  they  often  remove 
them  from  one  place  to  another.  Our  shoes  and  stockings, 
and  our  other  clothes,  beitig  worn  out  in  this  long  journey 
through  the  bushes  and  swamps,  and  the  weather  coming  in 
very  hard,  we  were  poorly  defended  from  the  cold,  for  want 
of  necessaries  ;  which  caused  one  of  my  feet,  one  of  the  little 
babe's,  and  both  of  the  little  boy's,  to  freeze  ;  and  this  was  no 
small  exercise,  yet,  through  mercy,  we  all  did  well. 

Now,  though  we  got  to  our  journey's  end,  we  were  never 
long  in  one  place,  but  very  often  removed  from  one  place  to 
another,  carrying  our  wigwams  with  us,  which  we  could  do 
without  much  difiiculty.     This,  being  for  the  convenience  Oi 


f 


lAAZAinVVU    HANSONS   CAPTIVITY. 


119 


it  nndiTwont 
ivclliiiii-  ilirt'e 
)nri,  liiit  colfl 
tlio  uci,  (iiid 
I.  Ijciiiii'  both 
Ml  ilit'v  wcro, 
Ih'iiii.^  tiiiuil- 
ii('!ir  home ; 
consitlerable 

"nicy's  end, 

•  ood.     But 

»  dt'|)cii(|   Oil 

d  \<'ry  sliori 

i<'|-VilMt   Wt'l'C 

iriv,  wns  not 
II  iliiit  place, 
•ok. 

<"c  so  ordcr- 
^ry,  ranic  to 
l]>(ul  to  one 
to  them  the 
Cnod  repast, 
High  ter,  and 

o  onr  jour- 
iivijiiT  some 
Id  catch  by 
ru;v  family, 
mons,  more 

1,  in  a  poor 
th  the  rind 
■nt.)  These 
en   remove 

stockings, 
ig  journey 

coming-  in 
I,  for  want 
)f  the  little 
his  was  no 

ivere  never 
le  place  to 
'  could  do 
enience  o[ 


hiniliiitr,  miidi-  our  nccomniodalions  ninch  mnrc  iinpIfMsniit, 
than  if  we  had  contimuMl  in  oik  place,  by  reason  tlw  coldness 
and  ilatiipiit'ss  cd'  tlir  ground,  wIktc  our  wigwams  were  pitch- 
ed, made  it  very  iiiiwhob'^ome,  and  unpleasant  Idiltring. 

Having  now  L-ot  to  the  Indian  I'ort.  many  «»f  the  Indians 
came  lo  visit  u?<,  and  in  their  way  welcomed  my  master  home, 
and  Ik  Id  a  '/rent  rejoicin-r.  with  daiiciii'j,  tiriiii,'  of  u'Hiis,  beating 
on  li(dli)\v  trees,  instead  id  (Iriims  ;  shuuiiiej',  drinkiiii.',  ;ind  feast- 
ing after  their  tnanner,  in  miicli  excess,  for  several  days  together, 
whiih  I  snpposi>,  in  their  thoughts,  was  a  kind  of  thanks  to 
Crod,  put  up  for  their  safe  return  and  gooil  siicce^^s,  IJut  whiN; 
they  were  in  their  jollity  and  mirili,  my  mind  was  greatly  »'x- 
ercised  towards  the  Lord,  that  I,  with  my  dear  children,  sepa- 
rated from  me,  might  be  preserved  from  repining  against  Ciod 
under  our  adliction  on  the  one  hand,  and  on  the  other  we 
might  have  our  dependence  on  him,  who  rules  the  hearts  of 
men,  and  can  do  what  he  pleases  in  the  kimrd(»ms  ni'  the  earth, 
knnwing  that  Jii.s  care  is  over  them  who  put  their  trust  in  him  ; 
but  I  found  it  very  hard  to  keep  my  mind  tis  I  ought,  in  the 
resignation  wliich  is  pr(»per  it  should  be,  under  >[\r\\  alilictions 
and  s(U'e  trials  as  at  that  time  1  sutji'red  in  heing  under  varioUK 
feors  and  doubts  concerning  my  children,  that  wore  Si.'paraled 
from  me,  which  helj)ed  to  add  to  and  L-reatly  increase  my 
troubles.  And  here  I  may  truly  say,  iriy  atiliclions  are  not  to 
be  set  fcu'th  in  words  to  the  extent  of  them. 

We  had  not  been  long  at  home  ere  my  master  went  a  hunt- 
ing, and  was  al)scnt  about  a  week,  he  ordering  me  in  his 
absences  to  gel  in  wood,  irather  nuts,  &:c.  I  was  very  diligent 
cutting  the  wood  and  j)uttiiig  it  in  order,  not  having  very  far 
to  carry  it.  l]ut  when  he  returned,  havinu'  got  no  prey,  he 
was  very  much  out  of  humor,  and  the  disapi)oiiifm(Mjt  was  so 
great  that  he  could  not  forl)ear  revenginir  it  on  us  poor  cap- 
tives. However,  he  allowed  me  a  little  b!)iled  corn  for  myself 
and  child,  but  \viih  a  very  angry  look  threw  a  stick  or  corn  col) 
at  me  Avitli  such  violence  as  did  bespeak  he  grudged  our  eat- 
ing. At  this  his  squaw  and  daughter  brolce  out  into  a  great 
crying.  This  made  me  fear  mischief  was  hatchiiigagainst  us. 
I  im!nediat(dy  \\eiit  out  of  his  presemce  into  another  wig- 
wam; upon  which  he  came  after  me,  and  in  a  great  fury  tore 
my  blanket  ofl'  my  back,  and  took  my  little  boy  fr<iin  me, 
and  struck  him  down  as  he  went  along  before  him  ;  but  the 
poor  child  not  being  hurt,  only  friLditeiied  in  tlH>  fall,  start- 
ed up  and  ran  away  wi'.houi  crying.  Then  the  Indian,  my 
master,  left  me  ;  but  his  wife's  mother  came;  and  sat  down  by 
me,  and  told  me  I  must  sleep  there  that  night.  She  then  going 
from  me  a  little  time,  came  back  with  a  small  skin  to  cover  my 


11  i 


120 


ELIZABETH  HANSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


( 


!l    ■ 


\\ 


J 


feet  withal,  informing  me  that  my  master  intended  now  to  kill  us, 
and  I,  beintj  desirous  to  know  the  reason,  expostulated,  that  in 
his  absence  I  had  been  diliirent  to  do  as  I  was  ordered  by  him. 
Thus  as  well  as  I  could  I  made  her  sensible  how  unreason- 
able he  was.  Now,  though  she  could  not  understand  me,  nor 
I  her,  but  by  sij^ns,  we  reasoned  as  v/ell  as  we  could.  She 
therefore  made  sig-ns  that  I  must  die,  advisinof  me,  by  point- 
m\r  up  with  her  /inij^^rs,  in  her  way,  to  pray  to  God,  endeavor- 
ing by  her  signs  and  tears  to  instruct  me  in  that  which  was 
most  needful,  viz.  to  prepare  for  death,  which  now  threatened 
me  :  the  poor  old  squaw  was  so  very  kind  and  tender,  that  she 
would  not  leave  me  all  the  night,  but  laid  herself  down  at  my 
feet,  designing  what  she  could  to  assuage  her  son-in-law's 
wrath,  who  had  conceived  evil  against  me,  chiefly,  as  I  under- 
stood, because  the  want  of  victuals  urged  him  to  it.  My  rest 
was  little  this  night,  my  poor  babe  sleeping  sweetly  by  me. 

I  dreaded  the  tragical  design  of  my  master,  looking  every 
hour  for  his  coming  to  execute  his  bloody  will  upon  us  ;  but 
he  being  weary  with  hunting  and  travel  in  the  woods,  having 
toiled  for  nothing,  went  to  rest  and  forgot  it.  Next  morning 
he  applied  himself  again  to  hunting  in  the  woods,  but  I  dread- 
ed his  returning  empty,  and  prayed  secretly  in  my  heart  that 
he  might  catch  some  food  to  satisfy  his  hunger,  and  cool  his 
ill  humor.  He  had  not  been  gone  but  a  little  time,  when  he 
returned  with  booty,  having  shot  some  wild  ducks  ;  and  now 
he  appeared  in  a  better  temper,  ordered  the  fowls  to  be  dressed 
with  speed  ;  for  these  kind  of  people,  when  they  have  plenty, 
spend  it  as  freely  as  they  get  it,  using  with  gluttony  and 
drunkenness,  in  two  days'  time,  as  much  as  with  prudent  man- 
agement might  serve  a  week.  Thus  do  they  live  for  the  most 
part,  either  in  excess  of  gluttony  and  drunkenness,  or  under 
great  straits  of  want  of  necessaries.  However,  in  this  plenti- 
ful time,  I  felt  the  comfort  of  it  in  part  with  the  family  ;  hav- 
ing a  portion  sent  for  me  and  my  little  ones,  which  was  very 
acceptable.  Now,  I  thinking  the  bitterness  of  death  was  over 
for  this  time,  my  spirits  were  a  little  easier. 

Not  long  after  this  he  got  into  the  like  ill  humor  again, 
threatening  to  take  away  my  life.  But  I  always  observed 
whenever  he  was  in  such  a  temper,  he  wanted  food,  and  was 
pinched  with  hunger.  But  when  he  had  success  in  hunting, 
to  take  either  bears,  bucks,  or  fowls,  on  which  he  could  fill  his 
belly,  he  was  better  humored,  though  he  was  naturally  of  a 
very  hot  and  passionate  temper,  throwing  sticks,  stones,  or 
whatever  lay  in  his  way,  on  every  slight  occasion.  This  made 
me  in  continual  danger  of  my  life  ;  but  God,  whose  provi- 
dence is  over  all  his  works,  so  preserved  me  that  I  never 


i* 


ELIZABETH   HANSON'S    CAPTIVITY. 


121 


)w  to  kill  us, 
itcd,  that,  in 
red  by  him. 
V  unreason- 
irul  me,  nor 
ould.      She 

0,  by  poinl- 

1,  cndeavor- 
wliich  was 

r  threatened 

ler,  that  slie 

down  at  my 

son-in-law's 

as  I  under- 

t.     My  rest 

f'  by  me. 

jking  every 

on   us  ;  but 

)cds,  having 

ext  morning 

but  I  dread- 

r  heart   that 

nd  cool  his 

16,  when  he 

and  now 

3  be  dressed 

lave  plenty, 

ittony  and 

ndent  man- 

for  the  most 

s,  or  under 

this  plcnti- 

mily  ;   hav- 

1  was   very 

h  was  over 

mor  again, 
's  observed 
)d,  and  was 
n  hunting, 
ould  fill  his 
urally  of  a 
stones,  or 
This  made 
hose  provi- 
at  I  never 


deceived  any  daniafre  from  him,  that  was  of  any  great  conse- 
c|ucn("e  to  me  ;  for  which  I  vvor  dcsin-  to  be  thankl'ul  in  my 
Maker. 

When  flesh  was  scart^e  v»'o  had  only  th(>  iruts  ai'd  garbage 
allowed  to  our  part;  and  not  being  permitted  to  cleanse  the 
guts  any  other  \vi>e  than  einptyin<j  Mie  dung  [out],  wilhdut  >o 
much  as  washiuL''  them,  as  bf^fure  is  noted  ;  in  that  lihhy  pi. 'Me 
we  must  bf»ii  them  and  eat  tluin,  which  was  very  unjileasant. 
But  hunger  made  nj)  that  diliiculty,  so  that  this  lbo<l,  Avliich 
was  very  often  our  lot,  becam(>  ])relty  tolerabk'  to  a  shat-p  ap- 
petite, which  otlierwise  ccnild  not  have  been  dispensed  with. 
Thus  1  considered,  none  luiows  what  they  can  undergo  until 
they  are  tried;  for  wiiat  1  liad  tliouirht  in  my  own  family  not 
fit  for  food,  would  here  have  been  a  dainty  disli  and  sweet 
morsel. 

By  this  time,  what  with  fatigue  of  spirits,  hard  labor,  mean 
diet,  and  often  want  of  natural  rest,  I  was  brought  so  low,  that 
my  milk  was  dried  up,  my  babe  very  poor  and  weak,  just  skin 
and  bones  ;  for  I  could  perceive  all  her  joints  from  one  end  of 
the  back  to  the  other,  and  how^  to  get  what  would  suit  her 
weak  appetite,  I  was  at  a  ioss  ;  on  which  one  of  the  Indian 
squaws,  perceiving  my  uneasiness  about  my  child,  began  some 
discourse  with  me,  in  which  she  advised  me  to  take  the  ker- 
nels of  walnuts,  clean  them  and  beat  them  with  a  little  water, 
whicli  I  did,  and  w'len  I  had  so  done  the  water  looked  like 
milk  ;  then  she  advised  me  to  add  to  this  water  a  little  of  the 
finest  of  Indian  corn  meal,  and  boil  it  a  little  together.  I  did 
so,  and  it  became  palatabh',  and  was  very  nourishing  to  the 
babe,  so  that  she  began  to  thrive  and  look  well,  who  was  before 
more  like  to  die  than  live.  I  found  that  with  thi.-i  kind  of  diet 
the  Indians  did  often  nurse  their  infants.  This  was  no  snuill 
comfort  to  me;  but  this  comfort  w,  s  soon  mixed  with  bitter- 
ness and  trouble,  which  thus  liapptMir'd  :  my  master  taking 
notice  of  my  dear  babe's  thriving  condition,  would  often  look 
upon  her  and  say  when  slie  was  fat  enough  she  would  be 
killed,  and  he  would  eat  her  ;  and  pursuant  to  his  pretence,  at  a 
certain  time,  he  made  me  fetch  him  a  stick  that  he  had  pre- 
pared for  a  spit  to  roast  the  child  upon,  as  he  said,  which  when 
I  had  done  he  made  me  sit  down  by  him  and  undress  the 
infant.  When  the  child  was  naked  he  felt  her  arms,  legs,  u.id 
thighs,  and  told  me  she  was  not  fat  enough  yet ;  I  must  dress 
lier  again  until  she  was  better  in  case. 

Now,  though  he  thus  acted,  I  could  not  persuade  myself  that 
he  intended  to  do  as  he  pretended,  but  only  to  aggravate  and 
afflict  me  ;  neither  ever  could  I  think  but  our  lives  would  be 
preserved  from  his  ])arbarous  hands,  by  the  overruling  power 

11  '  ^ 


m 


tlL 


122 


ELIZABETH  HANSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


1  i 


I,' 


of  Him  in   whose  providenre  1   put  iny   trust    l)oth  day    and 
ni<fjit. 

A  little  time  after  this,  my  master  Idl  sirk,  and  in  his  sick- 
ness, as  he  lay  in  his  wij^wam,  he  ordered  liis  own  son  to  heat 
my  son;  l)iit  the  old  s(piaw,  the  Indian  hoy's  r.randniotlicr, 
would  noi  sulfer  him  to  do  it  :  then  his  lather,  heinjT  provoked, 
caui^ht  up  a  slick,  very  sharp  at  one  end,  and  with  £,n-(.at  vio- 
lence threw  it  from  him  at  my  son,  and  hit  him  on  the  hreast, 
with  which  my  child  was  much  hruised,  and  the  pain  with  the 
surprise  made  him  turn  as  pale  as  death  ;  I  entreating  him  not 
to  cry,  and  the  hoy,  though  but  six  years  old,  bore  it  with  won- 
derful patience,  not  so  much  as  in  the  least  complaining,  so  that 
the  child's  patience  assuaged  the  barbarity  of  his  heart :  who, 
no  doubt,  would  have  carried  his  passion  and  resentment  much 
higher,  had  the  child  cried,  as  always  complaining  did  aggra- 
vate his  passion,  and  his  anger  grew  hotter  upon  it.  Some 
little  time  after,  on  the  same  day,  he  got  upon  his  feet,  but  far 
from  being  well.  However,  though  he  was  sick,  his  wife  and 
daughter  Jet  me  know  he  intended  to  kill  us,  and  I  was  under 
a  fear,  ur  less  providence  now  interposed,  hoAV  it  would  end. 
I  therefore  put  down  my  child,  and  going  out  of  his  presence, 
went  to  cu;  wood  for  the  lire  as  I  used  to  do,  hoping  that  would 
in  part  all  ly  his  passion  ;  but  withal,  ere  I  came  to  the  wig- 
w'am  again.  1  ex'pected  my  child  would  be  killed  in  this  mad 
fit,  having  no  other  way  but  to  cast  my  care  upon  God,  who 
had  hitherto  helped  and  cared  for  me  and  mine. 

Under  this  great  feud,  the  old  scpiaw,  my  master's  moth- 
er-in-law, left  i:im,  but  my  mistress  and  her  daughter  abode 
in  the  wigwam  with  my  master,  and  when  I  came  with  my 
wood,  the  daughter  came  to  me,  whom  I  asked  if  her  father 
had  killed  my  child,  and  she  made  me  a  sign,  no,  with  a  counte- 
nance that  seemed  pleased  it  was  so ;  for  instead  of  his  further 
venting  his  passion  on  me  and  my  children,  the  Lord  in  whom 
I  trusted  did  seasonably  interpose,  and  I  took  it  as  a  merciful 
deliverance  from  him,  and  the  Indian  was  under  some  sense  of 
the  same,  as  himself  did  confess  to  them  about  him  after- 
wards. 

Thus  it  was,  a  little  after  he  got  upon  his  feet,  the  Lord 
struck  him  with  great  sickness,  and  a  violent  pain,  as  appeared 
by  the  complaint  he  made  in  a  doleful  and  hi''  -ous  manner; 
which  when  I  understood,  not  having  yet  seen  him,  I  went  to 
another  scpiaw,  that  was  come  to  see  my  master,  which  could 
both  speak  and  understand  English,  and  in(|uired  of  her  if 
my  mistress  (for  so  1  always  called  her,  and  him  master) 
thought  that  master  w-ould  die.  She  answered  yes,  it  was  very 
likely  he  would,  being  worse  and  worse.     Then  I  told  her  he 


li 


>2 


ELIZABETH  HANSON'S  CAPTIVITY. 


123 


day    and 

1  his  sick- 
on  to  beat 
ndniother, 
provoked, 
ij^Toat  vio- 
he  breast, 
1  with  the 
IT  him  not 
with  won- 
ng,  so  that 
art :  who, 
lent  much 
:lid  airfrra- 
it.  Some 
et,  but  far 
3  wife  and 
kvas  under 
ould  end. 
presence, 
hat  would 

0  the  wig"- 
this  mad 
God,  who 

?r's  moth- 
Uer  abode 

with  my 
her  father 

a  counte- 
lis  further 

1  in  whom 
a,  merciful 
e  sense  of 
lim  after- 

,  the  Lord 
5  appeared 
i  manner  ; 

I  went  to 
lich  could 

of  her  if 
n  master) 

was  very 
)ld  her  he 


'««' 


I 


struck  my  boy  a  dreadful  blow  without  any  provocation  at 
all,  and  had  threatened  to  kill  us  all  in  his  fury  and  passion  ; 
upon  which  the  s(piaw  told  me  my  master  had  confessed  the 
above  abuse  he  oii'ered  my  clii-ld,  and  that  the  mischief  he  had 
done  was  th(>  cause  why  God  afflicted  him  with  that  sickness 
and  pain,  and  he  had  promised  never  to  abuse  us  in  such  swrt 
more  :  and  after  tiiis  he  soon  recovered,  but  was  not  so  pas- 
sionate ;  nor  do  I  remember  he  ever  after  struck  (jither  mo  or 
my  children,  so  as  to  hurt  us,  or  with  that  mischievous  intent 
as  before  he  used  to  do.  This  I  took  as  the  Lord's  doing,  and 
it  was  marvellous  in  my  eyes. 

Some  few  weeks  after  this,  my  master  made  aimlher  re- 
move, having  as  before  made  several ;  but  this  was  the  longest 
ever  he  made,  it  being  two  days'  journey,  and  mostly  upon  ice. 
The  first  day's  journey  the  ice  was  bare,  hut  the  next  day,  some 
snow  falling,  made  it  very  troublesome,  tedious,  and  ditlicult 
travelling;  and  I  took  much  damage  in  often  fallinir ;  having 
the  care  of  my  babe,  that  added  not  a  little  to  my  uneasiness. 
And  the  last  night  when  we  came  to  encamp,  it  being  in  the 
night,  i  was  ordered  to  fetch  water;  but  having  sat  awliile  on 
the  cold  ground,  I  could  neither  go  nor  stand  ;  but  crawling 
on  my  hands  and  knees,  a  young  Indian  squaw  came  to  see 
our  peopl<.%  being  of  another  family,  in  compassion  took  the 
kettle,  and  knowing  where  to  go,  which  I  did  not,  fetched  the 
water  for  me.  This  I  took  as  a  great  kindness  and  favor,  that 
her  heart  was  inclined  to  do  me  this  service. 

I  now  saw  the  design  of  this  journey.  My  master  being,  as 
I  suppose,  weary  to  keep  us,  was  willing  to  make  what  he 
could  of  our  ransom  ;  therefore,  he  went  further  towards  the 
French,  and  left  his  family  in  this  place,  where  they  had  a 
great  dance,  sundry  other  Indians  coming  to  our  people.  This 
held  some  time,  and  while  they  were  in  it,  I  L''ot  out  of  their 
way  in  a  corner  of  the  wiixwam  as  well  [as]  I  couhl  ;  hut  every 
time  they  came  by  me  in  their  dancing,  they  would  bow  my 
head  towards  the  ground,  and  frequently  kick  me  with  as  great 
fury  as  they  could  bear,  being  sundry  of  them  barefoot,  and 
others  having  Indian  mockosons.  This  dance  held  some  time, 
and  they  made,  in  their  maimer,  great  rejoicings  and  noise. 

It  was  not  many  days  ere  my  master  returned  from  the 
French;  but  he  was  in  such  a  humor  when  he  came  bpck,  he 
would  not  suffer  me  in  his  presence.  Therefore  I  ha(.  \  little 
shelter  made  with  some  boughs,  they  having  digged  through 
the  snow  to  the  ground,  it  being  pretty  deep.  In  this  hole  I 
and  my  poor  children  were  put  to  lodge;  the  weather  being 
very  sharp,  with  hard  frost,  in  the  month  called  January,  made 
it  more  tedious  to   me  and  my  children.     Our  stay  was  not 


^Jii 


i 


f\  i 


111 

I 


124 


ELIZABETH   HANSON'S  CAPTiVITY. 


L  I 


i  !^ 


11^ 
,1 


lonof  in  this  place  before  he  took  'Tie  to  the  French,  in  order 
for  a  chapnuiii.  When  we  came  among  them  I  was  exposed 
for  sale,  and  he  asked  for  me  800  livres.  But  his  chapman 
not  C()mi)lyin<^  with  his  demand,  put  him  in  a  irreat  raire, 
onerinir  hiiu  hut  000;  lie  said,  in  a  irreal  passion,  if  ho  couKl 
not  have  his  demand,  he  would  make  a  f,n-eat  lire  and  burn  mo 
and  ihe  habe,  in  the  view  of  the  town,  which  was  named  Fori 
Royal.  The  Frenchman  bid  the  Indian  make  his  lire,  "  and 
I  will,"  says  he,  "  help  you,  if  you  think  thai  will  do  you  more 
good  than  600  livres,"  calling  my  master  tool,  and  speaking 
roughly  to  him,  bid  him  be  gone.  But  at  the  same  time  the 
Frenchman  was  ci^il  to  me  ;  and,  for  my  encouragement,  bid 
me  be  of  good  cheer,  for  1  should  be  redeemed,  and  not  go 
back  wMth  them  again. 

Retiring  now  with  my  master  for  this  night,  the  next  day  1 
was  redeemed  for  six  hundred  livres  ;  and  in  treating  with  my 
master,  the  Frenchman  cpieried  why  he  asked  so  much  for  the 
child's  ransom ;  urging,  when  she  had  lier  belly  f\ill,  she 
would  die.  My  masi(>r  said,  "  No,  she  would  not  die,  havieg 
already  lived  tweuly-six  days  on  nothing  but  water,  believing 
the  child  to  be  a  devil."  The  Frenchman  told  him,  "  No,  the 
child  is  ordered  for  longer  life  ;  and  it  has  pleased  God  to 
preserve  her  to  admiration."  My  master  said  no,  she  was  a 
devil,  and  he  believed  she  would  not  die,  unless  they  took  a 
hatchet  and  beat  her  brains  out.  Thus  ended  their  discourse, 
and  I  was,  as  aforesaid,  with  my  babe,  ransomed  for  six  hun- 
dred livres;  my  little  boy,  likewise,  at  th(^  same  time,  for  an 
additional  sum  of  livres,  was  redeemed  also. 

I  now  having  changed  my  landlord,  my  table  and  diet,  as 
well  as  my  lodging,  the  French  were  civil  beyond  what  I  could 
either  desire  or  expect.  But  the  next  day  after  I  was  re- 
deemed, the  Romish  priest  took  my  babe  from  me,  and  accord- 
ing to  their  custom,  they  baptized  her,  urging  if  she  died 
before  that  sne  would  he  damned,  like  some  of  our  modern 
pretended  reformed  priests,  and  they  gave  her  a  name  as 
pleased  them  ))est,  which  was  Mary  Ann  Frossways,  telling 
me  my  child,  if  she  now  died,  would  be  saved,  being  baptized ; 
and  my  landlord  speaking  to  the  priest  that  baptised  her,  said, 
"  It  would  be  well,  now  Frossways  was  baptized,  for  her  to 
die,  being  now  in  a  slate  to  be  saved,"  but  the  priest  said,  "  No, 
the  child  having  been  so  miraculously  preserved  through  so 
many  hardships,  she  may  be  designed  by  God  for  some  great 
work,  and  by  hoi  life  being  still  continued,  may  much  more 
glorify  God  than  if  she  should  now  die."  A  very  sensible 
remark,  and  I  wish  it  may  prove  true. 

I  having  been  about  live  months  amongst  the  Indians,  in 


i 


h,  in  order 
as  exposed 
s  chapman 
ircaf.  rnso, 
f  he  could 
id  burn  me 
amod  Fort 
fire,  "  and 
)  you  more 
1  speaking 
e  lime  the 
oinent,  bid 
nd  not  go 

next  day  I 
g  with  my 
ich  for  the 
i  full,  she 
lie,  havii^of 
,  believing 
,  '•  No,  the 
?d  God  to 
she  was  a 
ley  took  a 
discourse, 
■ix  hun- 
me,  for  an 

d  diet,  as 
lat  I  coukl 
was  re- 
k1  accord- 
she  died 
r  modern 
name   as 
s,  telling 
baptized ; 
her,  said, 
or  her  to 
^id,  "  No, 
rough  so 
>me  great 
icJi  more 
sensible 

idians,  in 


ELIZABETH   HANSOXS  CAPTIVITY. 


]*>5 


i 


i 


i 


HDout  one  month  after  1  got  amongst  the  French,  my  dear 
husband,  to  my  unspeakable  comftut  and  jov.  inme  to  me, 
who  was  now  himself  concerned  to  redeem  his  childr(;n,  two 
of  our  daughters  beitiL'"  still  captives,  and  only  myself  and  two 
little  ones  redeemed  ;  and,  through  great  diilicuhy  and  trouble, 
he  recovered  the  younger  daULthter.  iJul  the  eldest  we  could 
by  no  means  v)btain  from  their  hands,  for  the  s(|uaw,  to  whom 
she  was  given,  had  a  son  whom  she  intetuied  my  daughter 
should  in  time  be  prevailed  with  to  marry.  The  Imlians  are 
very  civil  towards  their  captive  women,  not  ofl'ering  any  in- 
civility by  any  indecent  carriage,  (unless  they  be  much  over- 
come in  licpior,)  which  is  commendable  in  them,  so  far. 

However,  the  atlections  they  had  for  my  daughter  made 
them  refuse  all  ofiers  and  terms  of  ransom;  so  that,  after  my 
poor  husband  had  waited,  and  made  what  attempts  and  en- 
deavors he  could  to  obtain  his  child,  and  all  to  no  purpose, 
we  were  forced  to  make  homeward,  leaving  our  daughter,  to 
our  great  grief,  behind  us,  amongst  the  Indians,  and  set  for- 
ward over  the  lake,  with  three  of  our  children,  and  the  ser- 
vant maid,  in  company  with  sundry  others,  and,  by  the  kind 
ness  of  Providence,  we  got  well  home  on  the  1st  day  of  the 
7th  month,  1725.  From  which  it  appears  I  had  been  from 
home,  amongst  the  Indians  and  French,  about  twelve  months 
and  six  days. 

In  the  series  of  which  time,  the  many  deliverances  and  won- 
derful providences  of  God  unto  us,  and  over  us,  hath  been, 
and  I  hope  will  so  remain  to  be,  as  a  continued  obligation  on 
my  mind,  ever  to  live  in  that  fear,  love,  and  obedience  to  God, 
duly  regarding,  by  his  grace,  with  meekness  and  wisdom,  to 
approve  myself  by  1  is  spirit,  in  all  holiness  of  life  and  godli- 
ness of  conversation,  to  the  praise  of  him  that  hath  called  me 
who  is  God  blessed  forever. 

But  my  dear  husband,  poor  man  !  could  not  cnjf)y  himself 
in  quiet  with  us,  for  want  of  his  dear  daughter  Siirah,  that 
was  left  behind  ;  and  not  willing  to  omit  anything  for  her 
redemption  which  lay  in  his  power,  he  could  not  be  easy  with- 
out making  a  second  attempt  ;  in  order  to  which,  he  took  hi? 
journey  about  the  19t!i  day  of  the  second  month,  1727,  in  compa- 
ny with  a  kinsman  and  his  wife,  who  went  to  redeem  some  of 
their  children,  and  were  so  happy  as  to  obtain  what  they  went 
about.  But  my  dear  husband  being  taken  sick  on  the  way, 
grew  worse  and  worse,  as  we  were  informed,  and  was  sensible 
he  should  not  get  over  it;  telling  my  kinsman  that  if  it  was 
the  Lord's  will  he  must  die  in  the  wilderness,  he  was  freely 
given  up  to   it.     He  was  under  a  good  composure  of  mind, 

and  sensible  to  his  last  moment,  and  died,  as  near  as  we  can 
11* 


11 


I  i 


126 


ELIZABETH   HANSONS  CAPTIVITY. 


i! 


Hi  ' 
1) 


h,i 


1  < 

;i 

il 

1 

! 

:i 

1 

ii 

judge,  in  about  the  half  way  Ij^'twcon  Albany  and  Canada,  in 
my  kinsman's  arms,  and  is  at  rest,  I  hope,  in  liie  Lord  :  and 
thoiitjh  my  own  children's  loss  is  very  fjreat,  yet  I  doubt  not 
but  his  gain  is  nnicli  more;  I  therefore  desire  and  jtrny,  that 
the  Lord  will  enable  me  patiently  to  .submit  to  his  will  in  all 
things  he  is  pleased  to  sufTer  to  be  my  lot,  while  here,  ear- 
nestly supplicating  the  God  and  father  of  all  our  mercie.-j  to 
be  a  father  to  my  fatherless  children,  and  give  unto  them  that 
blessing,  which  makctli  truly  rich,  and  adds  no  sorrow  with 
it ;  that  as  they  grow  in  years  they  may  grow  in  grace,  and 
experience  the  joy  of  salvation,  which  is  come  by  Jesus 
Christ,  our  Lord  and  Savior.     Amen. 

Now,  though  my  husband  died,  by  reason  of  which  h.s  la- 
bor was  ended,  yet  my  kinsman  prosecuted  the  thing,  and  left 
no  stone  unturned,  that  he  thought,  or  could  be  advised,  was 
proper  to  the  obtaining  my  daughter's  freedom  ;  but  could  by 
no  means  prevail  ;  for,  as  is  before  said,  she  being  in  another 
part  of  the  country  distant  from  where  I  was,  and  given  to  an 
old  squaw,  who  intended  to  marry  her  in  time  to  her  son,  using 
what  persuasion  she  could  to  effect  her  end,  sometimes  by  fair 
means,  and  sometimes  by  severe. 

In  the  mean  time  a  Frenchman  interposed,  and  they  by  per- 
suasions enticing  my  child  to  marry,  in  order  to  obtain  her 
freedom,  by  reason  that  those  captives  married  by  the  French 
are,  by  that  marriage,  made  free  among  them,  the  Indians 
having  then  no  pretence  longer  to  keep  them  as  captives  ;  she 
therefore  was  prevailed  upon,  for  the  reasons  afore  assigned, 
to  marry,  and  she  was  accordingly  married  to  the  said  French- 
man. 

Thus,  as  well,  and  as  near  as  I  can  from  my  memory,  (not 
being  capable  of  keeping  a  journal,)  1  have  given  a  short  but  a 
true  account  of  some  of  the  remarkable  trials  and  wonderful 
deliverances  which  I  never  purposed  to  expose ;  but  that  I 
hope  thereby  the  merciful  kindness  and  goodness  of  God  may 
be  magnified,  and  the  reader  hereof  provoked  'vith  more  care 
and  fear  to  serve  him  in  righteousness  and  humility,  and  then 
my  designed  end  and  purpose  will  be  answered. 

E.  H. 


I 


127 


Caimdii,  in 
Lord  :  and 
[  doubt  not 
I  i)riiy,  that 
1  will  in  all 

liore,  ear- 
mcrcie.s  to 
)  tliem  that 
orrow  with 

p^race,  and 
I    by   Jesus 

lich  h  iS  la- 
ne:, and  left 
dvisod,  was 
lit  could  by 
;•  in  another 
given  to  an 
r  son,  using 
mes  by  fair 

hey  by  per- 

obtain  her 

the  French 

the  Indians 

ptives ;  she 

e  assigned, 

id  French- 

jmory,  (not 

short  but  a 

wonderful 

but  that  I 

)f  God  may 

more  care 

>■,  and  then 

E.  H. 


A   NARRATIVE 

OF  THE  CAPTIVITY  OF  Ni^IIEMIAH  HOW,  WHO  WAS  TAKEN 
BY  THL:  INDIANS  AT  TIIK  (JULIAT  MEADOW  FORT  AHOVE 
FORT  DUMMER,  WHERE  HE  WAS  AN  INHABITANT,  OCTO- 
BER llTH,  171".  fining  au  accoiml  nl'  what  ho  inel  with  in  his  travelling 
to  Canada,  and  while  he  was  in  prison  there.  Together  with  an  aceunnt  of 
Mk.  How's  death  at  Canada.  — Psalm  cxxxvii  :  I , -2, .'!,  and  4.  — Boston  :  N. 
E.  Printed  and  sold  opposite  to  the  Prison  in  Queen  Street,  1746. 

At  the  Great  Meadow's  fort,  fourteen  miles  above  fort  Dum- 
mer,  October  11th,  1745,  where  I  was  an  inhabitant,  I  went  out 
from  the  fort  about  fifty  rods  to  cut  wood  ;  and  when  I  had 
done,  I  walked  towards  the  fort,  but  in  my  way  heard  the  crack- 
ling of  fences  behind  me,  and  turning  about,  saw  twelve  or 
thirteen  Indians,  with  red  painted  heads,  running  after  me  ;  on 
which  I  cried  to  God  for  help,  and  ran,  and  hallooed  as  I  ran, 
to  alarm  the  fort.  But  by  the  time  I  had  run  ten  rods,  the 
Indians  came  up  with  me  and  took  hold  of  me.  At  the  same 
time  the  men  at  the  fort  shot  at  the  Indians,  and  killed  one  on 
the  spot,  wounded  another,  who  died  fourteen  days  after  he 
got  home,  and  likevv^ise  shot  a  bullet  through  the  powder-horn 
of  one  that  had  hold  of  me.  They  then  led  me  into  the  swamp 
and  pinioned  me.  I  then  committed  my  case  to  God,  and 
prayed  that,  since  it  was  his  will  to  deliver  me  into  the  hands 
of  those  cruel  men,  I  might  find  favor  in  their  eyes ;  which 
requesc  God  in  his  infinite  mercy  was  pleased  to  grant ;  for 
they  were  generally  kind  to  me  while  I  was  with  them.  Some 
of  the  Indians  at  that  time  took  charge  of  me,  others  ran  into 
the  field  to  kill  cattle.  They  led  me  about  half  a  mile,  where 
we  staid  in  open  sight  of  the  fort,  till  the  Indians  who  were 
killing  cattle  came  to  us,  laden  with  beef.  Then  they  went  a 
little  further  to  a  house,  where  they  staid  to  cut  the  meat  from 
the  bones,  and  cut  the  helve  oflT  of  my  axe,  and  stuck  it  into 
the  ground,  pointing  the  way  we  went. 

T!>en  we  travelled  along  the  river  side,  and  when  we  had 
got  about  three  miles,  I  espied  a  canoe  coming  down  on  the 
further  side  of  the  river,  with  David  Rugg  and  Robert  Baker, 
belonging  to  our  fort.  I  made  as  much  noise  as  I  could,  by 
hammering,  &c.,  that  they  might  see  us  before  the  Indians  saw 
them,  and  so  get  ashore  and  escape.  But  the  Indians  saw 
them,  and  shot  across  the  river,  twenty  or  thirty  guns  at  them, 
by  which  the  first-mentioned  man  was  killed,  but  the  other, 
Robert  Baker,  got  r.shore  and  escaped.  Then  some  of  the 
Indians  swam  across  the  river  and  brought  the  canoe  to  us ; 


m 


1  *l 


128 


NEHEMIATI  HOWS  CAPTIVITY. 


i. 


haviniT  stripperl  and  scalped  tho  dead  man,  and  thon  wc  wont 
about  a  miio  lurtlier,  when  we  came  to  another  house,  where 
we  stopped.  While  there  wc  heard  men  runninc:  hy  the  bank 
ot  the  river,  whom  I  knew  to  be  Jonathan  Thiiycr,  Snmuel 
Nultint^  and  my  son  Caleb  I[ow.  Five  ol'  the  Indians  ran  to 
head  them.  My  heart  asked  for  them,  and  prayed  to  God  to 
save  them  from  tiic  liands  of  the  enemy.  I  suppose  they  hid 
under  the  bank  of  the  river,  for  the  Indians  were  i^onc  some 
time,  but  came  back  without  them,  blessed  be  God. 

We  went  about  a  mile  further,  where  '.ve  lodfT(>d  that  night, 
and  roasted  the  meat  they  had  got.  The  next  day  we  travel- 
led very  slow,  by  reason  of  the  wounded  Indian,  which  was  a 
great  favor  to  me.  We  lodged  the  second  night  against  Num- 
ber Four  [since  Charlestown,  N.  H.]  The  third  day  we  like- 
wise travelled  slowly,  and  stopped  often  to  rest,  and  get  along 
the  wounded  man.  We  lodged  that  night  by  the  second  small 
river  that  runs  into  the  great  river  against  Number  Four. 

The  fourth  day  morning  the  Indians  held  a  piece  of  bark, 
and  bid  me  write  my  name,  and  how  many  days  we  had  tra- 
velled ;  "  for,"  said  they  "  may  be  Englishmen  will  come  here." 
That  was  a  hard  day  to  me,  as  it  was  wet  and  we  went  over 
prodigious  mountains,  so  that  I  became  weak  and  faint;  for  I 
had  not  eaten  the  value  of  one  meal  from  the  time  I  was  taken, 
and  that  being  beef  almost  raw  without  bread  or  salt.  When 
I  came  first  to  the  foot  of  those  hills,  I  thought  it  was  impossi- 
ble for  me  to  ascend  them,  without  immediate  help  from  God ; 
therefore  my  constant  recourse  was  to  him  for  strength,  which 
he  was  graciously  pleased  to  grant  me,  and  for  which  I  desire 
to  praise  him. 

We  got  that  day  a  little  before  night  to  a  place  where  they 
had  a  hunting  house,  a  kettle,  some  beer,  Indian  corn,  and 
salt.  They  boiled  a  good  mess  of  it.  I  drank  of  the  broth, 
eat  of  the  meat  and  corn,  and  was  wonderfully  refreshed,  so 
that  I  felt  like  another  man.  The  next  morning  we  got  up 
early,  and  after  we  had  eaten,  my  master  said  to  me,  "  You 
must  quick  walk  to  day,  or  I  kill  you."  I  told  him  I  would  go 
as  fast  as  I  could,  and  no  faster,  if  he  did  ifill  me.  At  which 
an  old  Indian,  who  was  the  best  friend  I  had,  took  care  of  me. 
We  travelled  that  day  very  hard,  and  over  steep  hills,  but  it 
being  a  cool,  windy  day,  I  performed  it  with  more  ease  than 
before ;  yet  I  was  much  tired  before  night,  but  dare  not  com- 
plain. 

The  next  day  the  Indians  gave  me  a  pair  of  their  shoes,  so 
that  I  travelled  with  abundant  more  ease  than  when  I  wore  my 
own  shoes.  I  ate  but  very  little,  as  our  victuals  were  almost 
spent.     When  the  sun  was  about  two  hours  high,  the  Ir-iians 


1 


NEHEMIAH  HOWS  CAPTIVITY. 


129 


1  wc  wont 
ISO,  whore 
,'  iho  bank 
r,  Siimnel 
aiKs  ran  to 
to  Ciod  to 

0  ihoy  hid 
nfone  some 

that  nic[lit, 
wo  travel- 
lich  was  a 
inst  Niim- 
y  we  like- 

1  got  alono- 
cond  small 
Four. 

ce  of  bark, 
:e  had  tra- 
ome  here." 
went  over 
'aint ;  for  I 
was  taken, 
It.  When 
IS  impossi- 
from  God ; 
rrih,  which 
ch  I  desire 

vhere  they 
corn,  and 
the  broth, 
freshed,  so 
we  got  up 
me,  "  You 
would  go 
At  which 
are  of  me. 
lills,  but  it 
ease  than 
3  not  com- 

shoes,  so 
I  wore  my 
•re  almost 

e  Ir-iians 


scattered  to  hunt,  iind  thoy  soon  Killod  a  fawn,  and  throo  small 
bears,  so  that  wo  had  again  moat  onoufjh  ;  some  of  whi«li  wo 
boilod  and  oat  heartily  of,  by  whicli  1  ftdt  strnnir. 

The  next  day  wo  Iravollod  vory  hard,  and  porformod  it  with 
ease,  insomuch  th;it  oiio  of  tlio  Indians  told  mo  1  was  a  very 
strong  man.  About  thnn.'  o'clock  wo  camo  to  tho  lako,  whoro 
thoy  had  live  canoes,  pork,  Indian  <'orn,  and  tobacco.  Wo  got 
into  tho  canoes,  and  tho  [ndians  stuck  up  a  poI(>  about  eiL''ht 
foot  lon'_r  with  iho  scalp  of  David  Kugg  on  tlu^  top  of  it  painted 
ted,  with  tho  likeness  of  eyes  and  mouth  on  it.  Wo  sailed 
about  ton  inilos,  and  then  wont  on  shore,  and  after  wo  had 
made  a  (ire,  wo  boiled  a  good  supper,  and  oat  heartily. 

'I'ho  next  day  w(^  sot  sail  for  Crown  I'oint,  l)ut  when  we  were 
within  a  milo  of  tho  place,  thoy  went  on  shore,  whoro  wore 
eight  or  ten  French  and  Indians,  two  of  whom,  before  I  got  on 
shore,  camo  running  into  tho  water,  knee  deep,  and  pulled  mo 
out  of  the  canoo.  There  thoy  sunir  and  danced  around  mo  a 
wJiilo,  when  one  of  thom  bid  me  sit  down,  which  I  did.  T'-.on 
thoy  pulled  oil' my  shoos  and  buckles,  and  took  them  from  me. 
Soon  after  we  went  along  to  Crown  Point.  When  wo  got  there, 
the  people,  both  French  and  Indians,  were  vory  thick  by  the 
water-side.  Two  of  the  Indians  took  mo  o^it  of  the  canoe,  and 
leading  me,  bid  me  run,  which  I  did,  about  twenty  rods  to  the 
fort.  The  fort  is  large,  built  with  stone  and  lime.  They  led 
me  up  to  the  third  loft,  where  was  the  captain's  chamber.  A 
chair  was  brought  that  I  might  sit  by  the  fire  and  warm  me. 
Soon  after,  the  Indians  that  I  belonged  to,  and  others  that  were 
there,  came  into  the  chamber,  among  whom  was  one  I  knew, 
named  Pealtomy.  He  camo  and  spoke  to  me,  and  shook  hands 
with  me,  and  I  was  glad  to  see  him.  He  wont  out,  but  soon 
returned  and  brouijht  to  mo  another  Indian,  named  Amrusus, 
husband  to  her  who  was  Eunice  Williams,  dauL''hter  of  the  late 
Rev.  John  Williams,  of  Doorliold  ;  ho  was  glad  to  see  mo,  aiul 
I  to  see  him.  Ho  asked  me  about  his  wife's  relations,  and 
showed  a  great  deal  of  respect  to  mo. 

A  while  after  this,  the  Iiulians  sat  in  a  ring  in  the  chambev, 
and  Pealtomy  came  to  me,  and  told  mo  I  must  go  and  sing  and 
dance  before  the  Indians.  I  told  him  1  could  not.  Ho  told  me 
over  some  Indian  words,  and  bid  me  sing  them.  I  told  him  I 
could  not.  With  that  the  rest  of  the  fort  who  could  speak 
some  English,  came  to  mc,  and  bid  me  sing  it  in  English,  which 
was,  "  I  don't  know  where  I  go,"  which  I  did,  dancing  round 
that  ring  three  times,  I  then  sat  down  by  the  fire.  The  priest 
came  to  me,  and  gave  me  a  dram  of  rum,  and  afterwards  the 
captain  brought  me  part  of  a  loaf  of  bread  and  a  plate  of  butter, 
and  asked  me  to  eat,  which  I  did  heartily,  for  I  had  not  eaten 


t  I 


;  'ii 


T 


130 


NEIIEMIAH  HOWS  CAPTIVITY 


any  bread  from  the  time  I  \V!is  Inkcn  lill  tlion.  The  Frcnrh 
priest,  iiiid  all  llie  oliiccrs  showed  me  a  ryreat  deal  of  resnert. 
The  caplaiii  f^ave  me  a  pair  of  Lfond  l)iu  k-skin  shoes,  and  the 
priest  lived  tln'in  on  my  lei.'t.  We  staid  there  that  iiiirht,  ruui 
I  slept  with  the  |)riesi,  captain  and  lieutenant.  The  lifutemint's 
name  was  JJallock  ;  he  had  hecn  a  prisoner  at  I'oston,  and  had 
been  at  Northampton  and  the  towns  thereabonls.  This  day, 
which  was  the  Sabbath,  I  was  well  Irented  by  the  French  olii- 
cers,  with  victuals  and  drink.  \Ve  tarrieil  there  till  noon,  then 
went  ofl'  about  a  mile,  and  put  on  shore,  where  they  st.iid  the 
most  of  the  day ;  and  havini,^  mm  with  them,  most  of  thetn 
were  much  liriuored.  F'eallomy  and  his  scpiaw,  and  another 
Indian  family,  went  with  us,  and  liy  lIuMii  I  fnund  ftut  that  Wil- 
liam I'hips  killed  an  Indian,  besiiles  him  we  wounded  before 
he  was  killed;  for  an  Indian  who  was  with  us  asked  me  if 
there  was  one  killed  near  our  fort  last  summer.  1  told  him  1 
did  not  know.  lie  said  he  had  a  brother  who  went  out  then, 
and  he  had  not  .seen  him  since,  and  had  heard  he  wns  killed  at 
our  fort,  and  wanted  to  know  if  it  was  true,  IJnt  I  did  not 
think  it  best  to  tell  him  any  such  thinfr  was  suspected. 

The  Indians  now  j^ot  into  a  frolic,  and  quarrelled  al)Out  me, 
and  made  me  sit  in  the  canoe  by  the  water-side.  I  was  afraid 
they  would  liurt  if  not  kill  me.  They  attempted  to  come  to 
me,  but  the  sober  Indians  hindered  them  that  were  in  liipior. 
Pealtomy  seeing  the  rout,  went  to  the  fort,  and  soon  after,  Lieut. 
Ballock,  with  some  soldiers,  came  to  ns,  and  wlien  the  Indians 
were  made- easy,  they  went  away.  We  lodged  there  that  night, 
and  the  next  day  was  a  stormy  day  of  wind,  snow  and  rain,  so 
that  we  were  forced  to  tarry  there  that  day  and  the  next  night. 
In  this  time  the  Indians  continued  fetching  rum  from  the  fort, 
and  kept  half  drunk.  Here  I  underwent  some  hardship  by 
staying  there  so  long  in  a  storm  without  shel  er  or  blanket. 
They  had  a  great  dance  that  night,  and  hungup  David  Kugg's 
scalp  on  a  pole,  dancing  round  it.  After  they  had  done,  they 
lay  down  to  sleep. 

The  next  nmrning,  which  was  the  tenth  day  from  the  time 
of  my  being  taken,  we  went  otF  in  the  canoe,  and  the  night 
after  we  arrived  at  the  wide  lake,  and  there  we  staid  that  night. 
Some  of  the  Indians  went  a  hunting,  and  killed  a  fat  deer,  so 
that  we  had  victuals  plenty,  for  Ave  had  a  full  supply  of  bread 
given  us  at  the  fort  at  Crown  Point. 

The  next  morning  the  wind  being  calm,  we  set  out  about 
two  hours  before  day,  and  soon  after  came  to  a  schooner  lying 
at  anchor.  We  went  on  board  her,  and  the  French  treated  us 
very  civilly.  They  gave  each  of  us  a  dram  of  rum,  and  vict- 
uals to  eat.     As  soon  as  it  was  day  we  left  the  schooner,  and 


NKHEMIAII  HOW'S  CArilVITY. 


131 


Tlip  Frrnrh 
Icnl  of  rcspcrt. 
shoes,  iiiid  iho 
tlmt  iii'jht,  and 
'lio  lifutcnjim's 
lostoii,  !UhI  had 
Is.  This  dny, 
lie  French  olli- 

till  noon,  thou 

thoy  st;iid  the 
,  most  of  thom 
^v,  fuid  another 
(1  out  that  Wil- 
vonnded  lieforo 
s  asked  nie  if 
.  1  told  him  [ 
went  out  then, 
10  was  killed  at 

But  I  did  not 
pected. 

elled  til)0ut  me, 
1  was  afraid 
ited  to  come  to 
were  in  licinor. 
on  after,  Lieut, 
en  the  Indians 
lero  that  night, 
iw  and  rain,  so 

ho  next  night. 
I  from  the  fort, 

0    hardship  by 

or  or  blanket. 

David  K nog's 
lad  done,  they 

IVom  the  time 
antl  the  night 
aid  that  night, 
a  fat  deer,  so 
pply  of  bread 

set  out  about 
chooner  lying 
iich  treated  us 
rum,  and  vict- 
schooner,  and 


two  liours  bi'fore  sunset  got  over  the  hike,  nnd  next  day  <nme 
to  Shiindiiilh'e  [Chiiniblce,**' 1  where  we  nu-t  three  hundred 
French  and  l\V(»  hundred  Indians,  who  did  the  iniscliief  iibout 
Mr.  Lydin's  fort. I  1  was  taken  out  o['  the  canoo  by  two 
Frenchmen,  and  IIimI  to  u  housf  jibout  ten  rods  oil'  as  fast  us  I 
could  run,  the  Indians  lliniiini;  uow-balls  at  me.  As  soon  as 
I  got  lo  the  iioii^o,  the  Indian^  sidixl  round  mo  very  thick,  and 
bid  me  sing  and  dance,  which  1  did  with  them,  in  their  way; 
then  they  gave  a  shout,  and  left  oil".  Two  of  thorn  cume  to 
me,  one  of  win  "u  smoie  me  uii  one  chetdc,  the  other  on  the 
olhor,  which  maile  the  blooil  nm  plentifully.  Then  they  bid 
me  sing  anil  ilance  again,  which  1  did  with  tluun,  and  they  with 
me,  shouting  as  before.  Then  two  Frenchmen  took  me  under 
each  arm,  and  ran  so  fast  that  the  Indians  could  not  keep  up 
with  us  lo  hurl  me.  We  ran  about  forty  r(Mls  to  another  house, 
whore  a  chair  was  brought  for  mo  to  sil  down.  The  house 
was  soon  full  of  French  and  Indians,  and  others  surrounded  it, 
and  some  were  looking  in  to  the  window-.  A  French*  gentle- 
man came  to  mo,  look  me  by  the  hand,  and  led  me  into  a  small 
room,  where  none  came  in  but  such  as  ho  admitted.  Ho  gave 
me  victuals  and  drink.  Several  French  gentlemen  and  Indians 
came  in  and  were  civil  to  me.  The  Indians  who  came  in 
could  speak  iMiLrlish,  shook  hands  with  me,  and  called  me 
brother.  Thoy  l(»ld  me  they  were  all  .soldiers,  and  were  going 
to  New  England.  They  said  they  should  go  to  my  town, 
which  was  a  great  damp  to  my  spirits,  till  I  heard  of  their  re- 
turn, whore  thoy  had  boon,  and  wlial  they  had  done.  A  while 
after  this,  ihe  Indians  whom  I  bcdongod  to  came  to  me  and 
told  mo  wo  must  go.  I  went  with  thom.  After  going  down 
the  river  about  two  miles,  wo  came  to  the  thickest  of  the  town, 
whore  was  a  large  fort  built  with  stone  and  lime,  and  very 
lariTo  and  lino  houses  in  it.  Here  was  the  general  of  the  army 
I  s})oke  oi  iiol'oro.  lie  asked  mo  what  news  from  London  and 
Boston.  I  told  him  such  stories  as  I  thought  convenioni,  and 
omitted  the  rest,  and  then  . -ent  down  to  the  canoes.  Some  of 
the  Indians  went  and  got  a  plenty  of  bread  and  beef,  which 
they  put  into  the  canoes,  and  then  we  went  into  a  French  house, 
where  we  had  a  good  supper.  There  came  in  severa  I^rench 
gentlemen  lo  see  me,  who  were  civil.  One  of  thom  gave  mc 
a  crown,  sterling.  We  lodged  there  till  about  two  hours  before 
day,  when  we  arose,  and  went  down   the  river.      I  suppose  we 

*A  t\)rt  on  a  fine  river  of  the  same  name,  about  fifteen  miles  south-west 
of  Montreal.— Ed. 

fNov.  Iti,  171.5,  Sarato!?a,  a  Dutch  villat^e  of  thirty  families,  is  destroy- 
ed by  the  Indians  and  French.     They  burnt  a  fort,  killed  many,  and  car 
lied  away  others  of  the  inhabitants. — MS.  Chrmides  of  the  hidiaris. 


n 


132 


NEHEMIAH  HOW'S  CAPTIVITY. 


!         J 


wont  a  liiiii(lr«Hl  miles  iluit  i\ny,  wliii-li  hroiii^lit  ns  into  a  ^^ront 
river,  liillcil  liiiilicf.  \Vr  lodgtxl  lliul  niglil  in  u  French  house, 
nnd  \ver(!  eivilly  treated. 


T 


le   next  dav  wv  went  down   \\\r   nvi  r.  and  I  was  earricf 


I  I 


(1 


Itclnre  the  governor  there,  which  was  the  Sahhath,  and  the  lOlli 
day  after  my  heini''  taken.  We  >\;\'u\  Uh  re  ahont  three  hours, 
nnd  were  well  treai'd  hy  the  I''reni'h.  The  Indian^  were  then 
ordered  to  carry  me  down  to  (.^iiehec,  which  was  ninei\  miles 
furiher.  We  \vent  down  the  river  ahout  thre.'  miles  that 
niidit   tlu'ii  going  on  shore,  indued  the  remainder  of  the  night. 

The  next  nutrning  we  set  otf,  and  the  second  (hiy,  which 
was  the  Iblh  from  the  time  I  was  taken,  we  arrived  at  (.^ue- 
bf.'C.  Tlie  hind  is  iidiabited  on  hoth  siih's  of  the  river  from  the 
lake  to  Cinehec,  which  is  at  k'ast  two  hundred  miles,  especially 
below  Chamhiee,  very  thick,  so  that  the  houses  are  within  sight 
of  one  anotlier  all  the  way. 

But  to  return:  After  wo  arrived  at  Quebec,  I  was  carried 
\\\)  into  a  large  cliand)er,  which  was  full  of  Indians,  wlio  were 
civil  to  me.  Many  of  the  French  came  in  to  see  me,  and 
were  also  very  kind.  I  st;iid  there  about  two  hours,  when  a 
French  gentleman,  who  could  speak  good  English,  came  in 
and  told  me  I  must  go  with  liim  to  tlie  governor,  which  1  did ; 
and  after  answering  a  great  many  f|uestions,  and  being  treated 
Mith  as  much  hread  and  wine  as  I  desired,  I  was  sent  with  an 
ollicer  to  the  guard-house,  and  led  into  a  small  room,  where 
was  an  Englislnnan  named  William  Stroud,  a  kinsman  of  the 
Hon.  Judge  Lynd,*  in  New  England.  He  belonged  to  South 
Carolina,  and  had  been  at  Quebec  six  years.  'J'he  governor 
kepi  him  conhnod  i'or  fear  he  shnuld  leave  him  and  no  to  New 
England,  and  discover  their  strenuih.  Mr.  Stroud  and  I  were 
kept  in  the  guard-house  one  Wdk,  with  a  sulbciency  of  food 
and  drink.  The  French  gentlemen  kept  coining  in  to  see  me, 
and  I  was  very  civilly  tr(>al(d  by  thcni.  I  had  the  better  op- 
portunity of  discoursing  with  them,  as  JNIr.  Stroud  was  a  good 
interpvelev. 

After  this  we  were  sent  to  prison,  where  1  found  one  James 
Kinlade,  who  was  ;aken  fourteen  days  before  I  was,  at  Shecp- 
scct,  at  the  eastward,  in   New  England.      I  was  much  pleased 

*  Jii(l^t>  Lynd  was  connected  ])y  marriage  to  the  celebrated  Gov.  Hutch- 
inson.  He  j^resided  ;u  tlie  trial  of  Cajn.  Treston.  r DinniaiKlei'  df  the  Bvi- 
tish  soldiers  in  Bttston,  in  1770,  who  fired  upon  nnd  killed  several  citizens. 
I  have  a  volume  ofUiitchinMin's  History  oflNIassaclmsetts.  Miiicli  belont^ed 
to  Judije  Lynd  with  the  name  of  the  •rovenior  in  it.  in  his  own  hand. 
In  it  are  minierous  notes  and  corrections  throii^diout,  and  twenty-lour  MS. 

{>ages  of  additions  at  the  end,  in  the  jndire's  hand-writrng.     It  seems  to 
lave  been  presented  for  this  purpose  by  the  governor.     Judge  Lynd  died 
a  lew  years  after  the  revolution. 


w| 
\N 

rol 

th 

ml 

i'l 
till 

to 

tir 


! 


NKIIK.MIAII    innV'S  CAITIVITV. 


133 


IIS  into  a  i^rcnt 
Frciicli  hoiKsu, 

I  I  was  rarriofl 
I.  t\U(\  the  lOlli 
<i  tliiTc.'  Iiuiiry, 
iiris  \vrr<'  then 
■^  iiiiiciv  iiiilt'S 
«'  '  iiiik'.s  thai 
r  of  the  ni^ht. 
kI  <liiy,  which 
rivrtl  lit  Qiic- 
rivor  f'loiii  (h«? 
les,  especially 
e  within  sight 

I  was  carried 

ns,  wlio  were 

see   me,  and 

lours,  when  a 

lish,  came  in 

which  I  (lid  ; 

heini,'-  treated 

jsent  wiiii  an 

room,  where 

nsniaii  of  the 

LTf^d  to  South 


M 


te  i,'-overnor 


d  tro  to  New 
I  and  I  were 
'ticy  of  food 
n  to  see  me, 
ic  better  op- 
A\  as  a  p-Qod 

one  James 
s,  at  Slieep- 
iich  pleased 

1  Gov.  Hutch- 
:t  of  the  Bri- 
■cral  citizens. 

licll   iK'lolltrgjJ 

s  (i\Mi  hand. 
Mity-(uur  MS. 
It  seems  to 
je  Lyud  died 


with  his  coiiver>^atifMi.  esfefminir  liiiii  a  man  of  Irne  piiMv. 
We  were  k<'|it  in  pri-im  eitrhi  days,  wiili  IiImtiv  to  Keep  in  the 
roMm  with  tli«'  prison-Kcfpcr.  \Ve  weri'  daily  visited  hy  yen- 
tlenien  anil  ladif>,  who  showed  us  j^reat  kindness  in  yivinir  us 
mon(!y  and  ntlicr  lliinirs,  and  their  h  havinr  tnuariN  iin  was 
plea>ant,  Hlfssed  he  (Jod  therefor,  for  I  doirc  to  ascrihc  till 
till"  favors  I  have  been  the  partaker  of,  t»ver  since  my  captivity, 
to  the  abundant  Lifrace  and  t^oodness  of  a  bountiful  (Jod,  as  the 
first  cause. 

After  this  Mr.  Ivinlailc  and  I  were  sent  to  another  prison, 
wliere  were  twenty-two  sctunen  bclonLMOi,''  to  ,>everal  parts  of 
our  kini^'s  dominions;  three  of  them  captains  of  ves.«((ds,  viz. 
James  Souiherland  of  Cape  Cod,  Williain  Chipmtiii  of  Mar- 
blehead,  William  Pole  of  Casco  Hay.  This  p.ison  was  a  lar'^e 
liouse,  built  with  sione  and  lime,  two  fen  thick,  and  about 
one  huiulred  and  twenty  feel  loni;.  We  bad  two  larije  stoves 
in  it,  and  wood  enouL,di,  so  that  we  couUl  ke(>p  ourselves  warm 
in  th(^  coldest  weather  We  had  provision  sullicient,  vi/.  two 
pounds  of  good  wheat  bread,  one  jjonnd  of  beef,  and  peas 
answerable,  to  each  man,  reaily  dressed  every  day. 

VV^hen  I  had  been  there  a  few  days,  the  captives  desired  me 
to  lead  them  in  carryiuij^  on  mornin',!'  and  eveninif  devotion, 
which  I  was  willing'  to  do.  We  had  a  I3ible,  psalm-bocdc,  and 
some  other  n;ood  books.  Our  consiant  practice  was  w  read  a 
chapter  in  the  Bible,  and  sing  part  of  a  p^^alm,  and  to  pray, 
niirbt  and  morning. 

When  I  was  at  the  first  prison,  I  was  strippc'd  of  all  my  old 
and  lousy  clothes,  and  had  oilier  clothing  givi-n  me  from  head 
to  fool,  and  had  many  kindnesses  shown  me  by  llutse  that 
lived  thereabouts  ;  nu)re  es|)eci,illy  by  oim  Mr.  Corby  and  bis 
wife,  who  gave  me  monev  iber  ,  and  brouL^it  me  manv  good 
things  at  the  oilier  jirison.  Hin  here  I  was  taken  ill,  as  was 
also  most  of  the  other  prisoners,  with  a  llu.x,  which  lasted 
near  a  month,  so  that  I  was  grown  very  weak.  After  thai  I 
was  healthy,  Uirough  divine  L'oodness.     Ble-sed  be  (Jod  i'or  it. 

I  was  much  concerned  for  my  country,  especially  for  the 
place  I  was  taken  from,  by  reason  that  I  met  an  army  going 
thither,  as  they  told  me.  The  U7th  day  of  November  we  had 
news  come  to  the  prison  that  this  army  bad  returned  to  Cham- 
blee,  and  had  taken  upwards  of  a  hundred  captives,  which 
increased  my  concern ;  for  I  expected  our  fr»rt,  and  other.s 
thereabouts,  were  destroyed.  This  news  put  me  upon  earnest 
prayer  to  God  that  he  would  give  me  grace  to  submit  to  his 
will  ;  after  which  I  was  easy  in  ny  mind. 

About  a  fortnight  after,  a  Dutchman  was  brought  to  prison, 
who  was  one  of  the  captives  the  said  array  had  taken.     He 
12 


i 


vi 


i    i 


131 


NEHEMIAII   HOW'S  CAPTIVITY 


: 


1^ 


''        -J 


i 


L 


lold  mo  tlioy  had  ])iiriil  Mr.  I-ydin's  fort,  and  all  the  houses  Jil 
thai  new  township,  Uilled  Capt.  Schiiyli'r  and  live  or  six  more, 
and  had  brono-ht  (ifty  whites  and  about  sixty  iiecfroos  to  Mont- 
real. I  was  sorry  to  hear  of  so  murh  misi'hief  done,  but 
rejoiced  they  had  nf)t  been  uj)(in  our  river,  and  the  towns 
thereabouts,  for  whicdi  I  i»'ave  thanks  to  God  for  his  great  good- 
ness in  preserving  them,  and  particularly  my  family. 

When  Christmas  came,  the  governor  sent  us  twenty-four 
livres,  and  the  lord-intcndant  came  into  the  prison  and  gave 
us  twenty-four  more,  which  was  about  two  guineas.  He;  told 
us  he  hoped  we  should  be  sent  home  in  a  little  time.  He  was 
a  pleasant  gentleman,  and  very  K'ind  to  captives.  Some  timc^ 
after,  Mr.  Shearsy,  a  gentleman  of  (juality,  came  to  us,  and 
gave  to  the  three  sea  ca])tains  twenty-four  livers,  and  to  me 
twelve,  and  the  next  day  sent  me  a  bottle  of  claret  wine. 
About  ten  days  after  he  sent  me  twelve  livres  more;  in  all 
eight  pounds,  old  tenor. 

January  20th,  17-K),  eighteen  captives  were  brought  from 
Montreal  to  the  prison  at  Quebec,  which  is  ISO  miles. 

February  22d,  seven  captives  more,  who  were  taken  at 
Albany,  were  brouo'ht  to  the  prison  to  us,  viz.  six  men  and  one 
old  woman  seventy  years  old,  who  had  been  so  infirm  for 
seven  years  past  that  she  had  not  been  able  to  walk  the  streets, 
yet  performed  this  tedious  journey  with  ease. 

March  lf5th,  one  of  the  captives  taken  at  Albany,  after  four- 
teen or  fifteen  days'  sickness,  died  in  the  lK)spital  at  (Quebec, 
— a  man  of  a  sober,  jiious  conversaiion.  His  name  was  Law- 
rence Plafier,  a  German  born. 

May  *3d,  three  captives  taken  at  No.  Four,  sixteen  miles 
above  where  I  was  talcen,  viz.  Capt.  Jolm  Spallbrd,  Isaac  Par- 
ker, and  Stephen  Farnsworlh,  were  brought  to  prison  to  us. 
They  informed  me  my  family  was  well,  a  few  days  before  they 
were  taken,  whicli  rejoiced  me  much.  I  was  sorry  for  the 
misfortune  of  these  my  friends,  ])ut  was  glad  ftf  their  company, 
and  of  tlieir  being  well  used  by  those  who  took  them. 

]\Iay  14th,  two  captives  were  brought  into  prison,  Jacob 
Read  and  Edward  Cloutman,  taken  at  a  new  township  called 
Gorhamtown,  near  Casco  Bay.  They  informed  us  that  one 
man  and  four  children  of  on(>  of  them  were  killed,  and  his  wife 
taken  at  the  same  time  with  them,  and  was  in  the  hands  of 
the  Indians.^ 

May  16th,  two  lads,  James  and  Samuel  Anderson,  brothers, 
taken  at  Sheepscot,  were   brought   to   prison.     On   the  17th, 


*  Gorhamlowni  was  attacked  in  the  inoriiins:  ot'  the  19th  April,  1746, 
by  a  party  of  about  ten  Indians. — 3IS.  Chronicles  of  the  India.is. 


f 


NEHEMIAH   HOW'S   CAPTIVITY. 


135 


lie  lloilscs  id 
or  six  more, 

)cs  to  Aloiit- 

f  clone,  but 

I   llio   towns 

great  goocl- 

twoiUy-four 
m  and  gave 
IS.  He  told 
e.      He  was 

Some  time 
'  to  us,  and 
I  and   to  me 

arcl  wine, 
no  re  ;   in  all 

ought  from 
les. 

e  taken  at 
len  and  one 
infirm  for 
:  the  streets, 

■,  after  four- 

at  (iueliec, 

e  was  Law- 

x'leen  miles 
,  Isaac  Par- 
prison  to  lis. 
before  they 
•rry  for  the 
ir  company, 
m. 

i.'^on,  Jacob 
isliip  called 
IS  that  one 
nd  his  wife 
e  hands  of 

n,  brotliers, 
1   the  17th, 

April,  1746, 


Samuel  Burbank  and  David  Woodwell,  who  were  taken  at 
New  Hopkinlon,  tiear  Rumford,  [Concord,  N.  H.]  were  brought 
to  prison,  and  inforuu'd  us  lliere  were  taken  with  them  two 
sons  of  liic  said  IJurbank,  and  the  wife,  two  sons  iind  a 
dauu-ht<T  of  the  said  Woodwell,  whom  they  left  in  the  hands 
o{'  the  Indians. 

.May  2-lili,  Thomas  Jones,  of  Holli>ion,  who  was  a  soldier 
at  Contoocook,  was  brouirhi  to  prison,  and  told  us  tiiat  one 
Elisha  (yoolc,  and  a  negni  Ix-longing  to  the  Kev.  Mr.  Stevens, 
were  killed  when  he  was  taken. 

June  1st,  William  Aikings,  taken  at  Pleasant  Point,  near 
fort  George,  was  broUL'hi  to  prison.  Juiif  'Jd,  Mr.  Shearly 
bron-jht  scver;i|  li'tltM's  ot'  deaidn  Timothy  lirown,  of  Lower 
Asluu'lot,  and  mmiey,  and  delivered  them  to  me,  which  made 
mo  think  he  was  killed  or  taken.  A  fi'w  days  after,  Mr. 
Shei.rly  told  m»'  ho  was  taken.  I  was  glad  to  hear  he  was 
alive. 

June  (hh,  Timothy  Cuinmings,  aged  00,  was  brouiiht  to 
prison,  who  informed  us  he  v.-as  at  work  with  live  other  men, 
about  forty  rods  from  the  block-house,  Cieorge's  [fort,]  when 
five  Indians  sIkH  at  them,  but  hurt  none.  The  men  ran  away, 
and  left  him  and  their  guns  to  the  Indiatis.  He  told  ns  that 
the  ensign  was  killed  as  be  stood  on  the  top  of  the  fort,  and 
that  the  English  killed  five  Indians  at  the  sam(>  time. 

June  13th,  Mr.  Shearly  brought  to  the  captives  some  let- 
ters which  were  sent  from  Al])any,  and  among  them  one  from 
Lieut.  Gov.  Phij)s,  of  the  ^Massachusetts  Bay,  to  the  governor 
of  Canada,  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners,  which  gave  us  great 
hopes  of  a  speedy  release. 

Juuj  22d,  eight  men  were  brought  to  prison,  amonir  whom 
Avcre  deacon  Brown  and  Robert  ^lorse,  who  informed  me  that 
there  were  six  or  eight  Indians  killed,  a  little  before  they  were 
taken,  at  Upper  Ashnelot,  and  that  they  learnt,  by  the  Indians 
who  took  them,  there  were  six  more  of  the  Eni^dish  killed  at 
other  places  near  Connecticut  river,  and  several  more  much 
wounded;  these  last  wore  supposed  to  be  the  wife  and  chil- 
dren of  the  aforesaid  Burbaidc  ami  Woodwell. 

July  5th,  we  sent  a  petition  to  the  chief  governor  that  we 
might  be  exchanged,  and  the  7th,  IVIr.  Shearly  told  us  we 
should  be  exchanged  for  other  captives  in  a  little  time,  which 
caused  great  joy  among  u- .  The  same  day,  at  night,  John 
Berran,  of  Northfield,  was  brought  to  prison,  who  told  us  that 
an  expedition  against  Canada  was  on  foot,  which  mueh 
rejoiced  us.  He  also  told  us  of  the  three  fights  in  No.  Four, 
and  who  were  killed  and  taken,  ami  of  the  mischir-f  done  in 
other  places  near  Connecticut  river,  and  that  my  brother  Dan- 


136 


NEHEMIAH   HOW'S  CAPTIVITY. 


•*! 


li 


iel   How's  son  Daniel  was  taken  with  him,  and  was  in  the 
hands  of  the  Indians,  who  desii,'-ncd  to  keep  hitn. 

July  20th,  John  Jones,  a  seaman,  was  hroui^ht  into  prison, 
who  told  us  lie  was  ^'■oinir  from  Cape  Breton  to  Newfound- 
land with  one  Englishman  and  four  Frenchmen,  who  had 
sworn  allei^iance  to  King-  George,  and  in  tiie  passage  they 
killed  the  other  Englishman,  but  carried  him  to  the  bay  of 
Arb,  where  there  was  an  army  of  French  and  Inrlians,  to 
■whom  tiiey  delivered  him,  and  by  them  was  sent  to  Quebec. 

July  21st,  John  Richards  and  a  boy  of  nine  or  ten  years  of 
age,  who  belonged  to  Rochester,  in  New  Hampshire,  were 
brought  to  prison.  They  told  us  there  were  four  Englishmen 
killed  when  they  were  taken. 

August  loth,  seven  captives,  who  with  eiglit  more  taken 
at  St.  John's  Island,  were  brought  to  prison.  They  told  us 
tliat  several  were  killed  after  quarters  were  given,  among 
whom  was  James  Owen,  late  o{'  Brook" field,  in  New  England. 
On  the  Hnh,  Thomas  Jones,  late  of  Sherburne,  in  New  Eng- 
land, after  seven  or  eight  days'  sickness,  died.  He  gave  good 
satisfaction  as  to  his  future  state.  On  the  2'5th  Ave  had  a 
squall  of  snow. 

September  12lh,  Robert  Downing,  who  had  been  a  soldier 
at  Cape  Breton,  and  was  taken  at  St.  Johns,  and  who  was 
with  the  Indians  two  months,  and  suffered  great  abuse  from 
them,  was  brought  to  prison. 

On  the  15th,  twenty-three  of  the  captives  taken  at  Hoosuck 
fort  were  brought  to  prison,  among  whom  was  the  Rev.  ]\Ir. 
John  Norton.  They  informed  us  that  after  fighting  twenty- 
five  hours,  with  eight  hundred  French  and  Indians,  they  sur- 
rendered themselves,  on  capitulation,  prisoners  of  war;  that 
Thomas  Nalton  and  Josiah  Read  were  killed  when  they  were 
taken.  The  names  of  those  now  brought  in  are  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Norton,  John  Hawks,  John  Smcad,  his  wife  and  six  children, 
John  Perry  and  his  wife,  Moses  Scott,  his  wife  and  two  children, 
San\uel  Goodman,  Jonathan  Bridgmnn,  Nathan  Eames,  Jo- 
seph Scott,  Amos  Pratt,  Benjamin  Sinconds,  Samuel  Lovet, 
David  Warren,  and  Phinehas  Furbush.  The  two  last  of  these 
informed  me  that  my  brotlu^r  Dnniel  How's  son  w-as  talven 
from  the  Indians,  and  now  Ha.'s  with  a  French  gentleman  at 
Montreal.  There  were  four  captives  more  taken  at  Albany, 
the  last  summer,  who  were  l)rought  to  prison  the  same  day. 

On  the  26th  (Sept.)  7i  men  and  two  women,  taken  at  sea, 
were  brought  to  prison.  October  1st,  Jacob  Shepard,  of 
Westborough,  taken  at  Hoosuck,  was  broug-lit  to  prison.  On 
the  3d,  Jonathan  Bathericdc  was  brought  in,  and  on  the  5th, 
seventeen  other    men,   three    of  whom  were    taken  with  Mr. 


P. 


i 


NEHEMIAH   HCWS   CAPTIVITY. 


137 


vas  in  the 

into  prison, 
Newfoiind- 
,  who  had 
ssRL'-o  tlioy 
tlu'  bay  of 
Iiitlians,  to 
Quebec. 
'11  years  of 
biro,  were 
iiiylishmen 

aoro  taken 
ey  told  us 
3n,  among 
'  Enqland. 
New  Enir. 
gave  nrood 
we   had  a 

n  a  sohlier 

who  was 

buse  from 

t  Hoosuck 
Rev.  JMr. 
g"  twenty- 
tbey  .sur- 
vvar;  that 
ley  were 
Rev.  Mr. 
chihlren, 
chiblren, 
ames,  Jo- 
el  Lovet, 
t  of  tliese 
IS  talven 
Icman  at 
Albany, 
'  day. 
II  at  sea, 
pard,    of 
on.      On 
the  5th, 
villi  Mr. 


i 


I 


Norton  and  others,  viz.  Nathaniel  Hitrhcook,  John  AM  rick, 
and  Stephen  Scott.  Richard  Subs,  who  was  taken  at  New 
Casco,  .^ay.s  one  man  was  killed  at  the  same  time.  Also  Rile*. 
Gooden,  taken  at  Saco,  was  brought  to  prison.  He  says  he 
had  a  brother  killed  at  the  same  time.  On  the  lt2th,  twenty- 
four  seamen  are  i)rouirht  in,  and  on  the  19th,  six  more.  On 
the  20tli,  Jacob  Read  died.  On  the  23(1,  Edward  Cloutman 
and  Robert  Dunbar  broke  prison  and  escaped  for  New  Eng- 
land. The  27lli,  a  man  was  brought  into  prison,  who  said  the 
Indians  took  live  more  [besides  himselfj,  and  brought  ten  scalps 
to  Montreal. 

November  1st,  John  Read  died.  The  9th.  Jolui  Davis, 
taken  with  3Ir.  Norman,  died.  Th»>  17th,  Nathan  Eames,  of 
Marlborough,  died.  On  the  19th,  Mr.  Adams,  taken  at  Sherp- 
■scot,  is  broun-ht  to  prison.  He  says  that  James  Anderson's 
father  was  killed,  and  his  un(de  taken  at  the  same  time.  The 
20ih,  Leonard  Lydle  and  the  widow  Sarah  Briant  were  mar- 
ried in  Canada,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Norton.  On  the  22d,  the 
abovesaid  Anderson'.s  uncle  was  brought  to  prison.  Two 
days  after,  (24th)  John  Bradshaw  died.  He  had  not  been  well 
for  most  of  the  time  he  h:ul  been  a  prisoner.  It  is  a  very 
melancholy  time  with  us.  There  are  now  thirty  sick,  and 
deaths  among  us  daily.  Died  on  the  2Sth,  Jonathan  Dunham, 
and  on  the  29th,  died  also  Capt.  Bailey  of  Amesbury. 

December  1st,  an  Albany  man  died,  and  on  the  (3th,  Pike 
Gooden,  who,  we  have  reason  to  believe,  made  a  happy  change. 
On  the  7th,  a  girl  of  ten  years  died.  The  11th,  Moses  Scott's 
wife  died,  and  on  the  loth,  one  of  Captain  Robt^rtson's  lieuten- 
ants. Daniel  Woodwell's  wife  died  on  the  18ih,  a  pious  wo- 
man. John  Perry's  wife  died  the  23d.  On  the  26th,  William 
Dayly,  of  New  York,  died. 

January  3d,  1747,  Jonathan  Harthan  died.  On  the  12th, 
Phinehas  Andrews,  of  Capo  Ann,  died.  He  was  one  of  the 
twenty  captives,  who,  the  same  nigiit,  had  been  removed  to 
another  prison,  hoping  thereby  to  get  rid  of  the  infection. 
Jacob  Bailey,  brother  to  Capt.  Bailey,  died  the  15th,  and  the 
17th,  Giat  Braban,  Captain  Chapmtm's  carpenter,  died.  On 
the  23d,  Samuel  Lovet,  son  of  Major  Lovet,  of  Mendon,  in 
New  England,  died. 

February  10th,  William  Garwafs  died,  also  the  youngest 
child  of  Moses  Scott.  The  15th,  my  nephew,  Daniel  How,  and 
six  more  were  brought  down  from  Montreal  to  Quebec,  viz. 
John  Sunderland,  John  Smith,  Richard  Smith,  William  Scott, 
Philip  Scoffil,  and  Benjamin  Tainter,  son  to  Lieutenant  Tainter 
of  Westborough  in  New  England.  The  23d,  Richard  Bennet 
died,  and  the  25th,  Michael  Dugon. 

12* 


?;:■ 


'1 


I 


t|  I'-! 


138 


neiie:\iiaii  hows  captivity. 


!   •( 


t!  I 


S  • 


( , 


h 


i!^ 


It  I' 


March  18lh,  James  Margra  died,  and  on  the  22d,  Capt.  John 
Fort  and  Samucd  Goodman  ;  llic  2Slh,  the  wife  of  John  Sniead 
died,  and  left  six  children,  the  youni^fest  of  whom  was  born  the 
second  nii^ht  after  the  mother  was  takfn. 

April  7th,  Philip  Scallield,  [Scofiel<l  ?]  and  next  day  John 
Saneld,  the  next  day  Capt.  James  Jordan  and  one  of  his  men, 
died.  On  the  12th,  Amos  Pratt,  of  Siirewsbury,  and  on  the 
14lh,  Timothy  Cnmmini^s,  the  17th,  John  Dill,  oY  Hull  in  New 
Eni^land,  the  ISth,  Samuel  Venhon,  of  Plymoutli.  died.  On 
the  26th,  Capt.  Jonathan  Williamson  was  brought  to  prison. 
He  was  taken  at  the  new  town  on  Sheepscot  river.  The 
same  day  came  in,  also,  three  men  who  were  taken  at  Albany, 
three  weeks  before,  and  tell  us  that  thirteen  were  killed,  Capt. 
Trent  being  one.  They  were  all  soldiers  for  the  expedition  to 
Canada.  On  the  27th,  Joseph  Denox,  and  the  2Sth,  Samuel 
Evans,  died.  The  same  night  the  prison  took  fire,  and  was 
burnt,  but  the  things  therein  were  mostly  saved.  We  were 
kept  that  night  under  a  guard. 

May  7th,  Sarah  Lydle,  whose  name  was  Braint  when  she 
was  taken,  and  married  while  a  captive,  died,  and  the  13th,  Mr. 
Smead's  son  Daniel  died,  and  Christian  Tether  the  14th.  The 
same  day  died  also  Hezekiah  Huntington,  a  hopeful  youth,  of 
a  liberal  education.  He  was  a  son  of  Colonel  Huntington  of 
Connecticut,  in  New  England.  On  the  15th,  Joseph  Grey, 
and  on  the  19th  Samuel  Burbank,  died.  At  the  same  time 
died  two  children  who  were  put  out  to  the  French  to  nurse. 

At  this  time  I  received  a  letter  from  Major  Willard,  dated 
March  17th,  1747,  wherein  he  informs  me  my  family  were 
well,  which  was  joyful  news  to  me.  May  19th,  Abraham 
Fort  died. 

[Here  ends  the  journal  of  Mr.  How,  exceedingly  valuable 
for  the  many  items  of  exact  intelligence  therein  recorded,  rela- 
tive to  so  many  of  the  present  inhabitani-s  of  New  England, 
through  those  friends  who  endured  the  hardships  of  captivity 
in  the  mountain  deserts  and  the  damps  of  loathsome  prisons. 
Had  the  author  lived  to  have  returned,  and  published  his  nar- 
rative himself,  he  doubtless  would  have  made  it  far  more  valu- 
able, but  he  was  cut  off  while  a  prisoner,  by  the  prison  fever, 
in  the  fifty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  afte^  a  captivity  of  one  year, 
seven  months,  and  fifteen  days.  He  died  May  25th,  1747,  in 
the  hospital  at  Quebec,  after  a  sickness  of  about  ten  days. 
He  was  a  husband  and  father,  and  greatly  beloved  by  all  who 
knew  him. — Ed.] 


I 


139 


Cnpt.  John 
olin  Sinoad 
i\.s  bom  tlie 

i  (lay  John 
)f  his  men, 
lul  on  the 
nil  in  New 

died.  On 
t  to  prison, 
iver.      The 

at  Albany, 
illed,  Capt. 
:pedition  to 
ih,  Samuel 
■e,  and  was 
We  v/ero 

,  when  she 
e  13th,  Mr. 
14th.  The 
1  youth,  of 
nting-ton  of 
seph  Grey, 
same  time 
o  nurse, 
lard,  dated 
mily  were 
Abraham 


y   valuable 

)rded,  rela- 

England, 

captivity 

le  prisons. 

d  his  nar- 

niore  valu- 

son   fever, 

one  year, 

,  1747,  in 

ton  days, 

)y  all  who 


f 


^ 


PARTICULARS    RELATING    TO     THh:    CAPTIVITY 

C)F<^  JOH.N   KITCH,  OK  ASHHV,  MASS.     RllLATiil)  BV  MR.  ENOS 
.TONES,  OF  ASHIiUKMIAM. 

The  town  of  Liiiionburir,  in  Alassacliusotts,  was  incorpo- 
rated Au<j|"usi  1,  17:*^,  and  received  its  name  in  compliment 
to  Georjjre  U.,  who.  ih(^  jirecedint,''  y<'av,  came  to  the  British 
throne,  and  was  styled  Duke  of  Luiienbiir£i',  haviuL^  in  his 
German  dominions  a  town  of  that  name.  On  the  3d  of  Feb- 
ruary, 17G4,  a  part  of  Lunenbur<j^  was  detached  and  incorpo- 
rated as  a  distinct  town  by  the  name  of  Fiichburn-.  In  17G7, 
a  part  of  Fitchi)urL!;-  was  disannexed  to  aid  in  forminir  the  town 
of  Ashby.  Mr.  John  Fitch  lived  on  the  frontiers  of  the  county, 
in  the  tract  now  included  iu  Ashby.  After  the  commencement 
of  the  French  and  Indian  war  of  174''),  Fitch  proposed  to  the 
g"overnment  to  keep  a  garrison,  with  the  aid  of  three  soldiers, 
who  were  immediaiely  despatched  to  liim.  Mr.  Fitch  was  a 
gentleman  of  n>.ich  enterprise,  and  had  liad  considerable  deal- 
ings with  the  Indians  in  peltries,  furs,  &c.,  and  was  generally 
well  known  among  them.  Soon  after  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war,  they  determined  to  make  him  a  prisoner;  and  in  July, 
1740-7,  they  came  into  the  vicinity  to  the  nutnber  of  about 
eighty.  The  inhabitants  of  the  garrison  were  Fitch,  his  wife, 
five  children,  and  the  three  soldiers.  One  of  these  last  left 
the  garrison  early  in  the  morning  of  the  disaster,  on  furlough, 
to  visit  a  house  at  the  distance  of  three  or  four  miles. 
Another  we-nt  out  in  qm'st  of  game.  H"  had  not  proceeded 
far  when  ho  discovered  the  Indians  crawlin-r  in  the  hiirh  cfrass 
betw^jen  him  and  tlie  garrison.  He  attempted  to  return,  but 
was  instantly  shot  down.  One  soldier  only  remained  with 
Filch  and  his  family;  and  they  determined  to  defend  them- 
selves to  the  be^t  of  their  power.  The  soldier,  whose  name 
was  Jeimings,  (ired  several  times,  when  an  Indian  shot  him 
through  the  neck,  and  he  f(dl.  Mrs.  Fitch  regularly  loaded 
the  guns  for  her  husband,  and  they  contiinuv]  to  defend  them- 
selves for  some  time;  when  the  Indians  informed  them  that  if 
they  would  surrender  they  should  have  (luarter,  but  if  they 
refused  they  should  ])erish  in  the  ilames  of  the  garrison. 
After  some  cjou.mi  It-it  ion  with  his  wife,  Fitch  concluded  to  sur- 
render. The  Indians  then  burned  the  o-arrison ;  and  after 
committing  various  mischiefs  in  the  neighborhood,  they  took 
the  captive  family  to  Canada.  Immediately  aftvT  the  garrison 
•was  burnt,  Perkins,  the  soldier  on  furlough,  espied  the  smoke, 
and  on  ascending  a  hill  in  the  vicinity  he  could  see  the  ruins. 


J  fl 


•:i 


140 


MARY  FOWLER'S  CAPTIVITY. 


.■    i 


s 


I. 


I    i 


He  immoiliaU'ly  o-avo  the  alarm,  and  in  th'  vcniiif;  nearly  an 
hundred  had  assendjkMl  in  arms  for  the  p.jsuit  of  the  enemy. 
It  being  dark,  however,  they  conchidecl  to  wait  till  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  and  ere  day  broke  they  set  out.  After  pro- 
ceeding a  short  distance  in  the  track  of  the  Indians  they  saw 
a  piece  of  paper  ti(>d  to  a  limb  of  a  tree,  which,  on  exam- 
ining, they  found  to  be  in  the  hand-writing  of  Fitch,  request- 
ing them  by  no  means  to  pursue  him,  as  the  Indians  had 
assured  him  of  sal'ety  if  they  were  not  pursued;  but  would 
destroy  him  if  his  friends  should  attempt  his  rescue.  Upon 
this  the  party  returned  to  their  homes.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  Fitch  and  his  family  were  liberated  ;  and  were  crossing 
the  Connecticut  on  their  return  home,  when  Mrs.  Fitch  took 
cold  and  died.  The  rest  of  the  family  returned,  and  Fitch 
was  afterwards  married  again.  Jennings,  who  was  killed  in 
the  garrison,  was  burnt  in  the  flames.  The  name  of  the  sol- 
dier killed  without  the  garrison  was  Blodget.  The  third  sol- 
dier, whose  name  was  Perkins,  escaped. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  MARY  FOWLER,  OF  HOPKINTON. 

Mary  Foavler,  formerly  Mary  Woodwell,  now  living  in 
Canterbury  in  this  state,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hopkinton, 
in  Massachusetts,  May  11,  1730.  Her  parents  moved  to  Hop- 
kinton in  this  state  when  she  was  about  twelve  years  of  age, 
and  settled  on  the  westerly  side  of  what  is  called  Putney's 
Hill. 

On  the  22d  day  of  April,  in  the  year  1746,  while  in  the 
garrison  at  her  father's  house,  six  Indians,  armed  with  mus- 
kets, tomahawks,  knives,  &:c.  broke  into  the  garrison  and  took 
eight  persons  while  in  their  beds,  viz.  the  said  Mary,  her 
parents,  two  of  her  brothers,  Benjamin  and  Thomas,  Samuel 
Burbank,  an  aged  man,  and  his  two  sons,  Caleb  and  Jonathan. 
They  carried  them  through  the  wilderness  to  St.  Francis  in 
Canada.  Here  Mary  and  Jonathan  Burbank  were  detained 
for  the  term  of  three  years,  (though  not  in  one  family,)  and 
the  other  six  were  carried  prisoners  to  Quebec,  where  Bur- 
bank, the  aged,  and  Mary's  mother  died  of  the  yellow  fever  in 
prison.     The  other  four  were  afterwards  exchanged. 

The  circumstances  relative  to  their  being  taken  were  as 
follows :  Ten  persons,  viz.  the  eight  above  mentioned,  Samuel 
Burbank's  wife  and  a  soldier,  were  secluded  in  the  garrison 
for  fear  of  being  attacked  by  the  Indians,  who  had  been  fre- 


nearly  an 
e  oiiomy. 
1  the  tol- 
^ftcr  prn- 
thcy  saw 
311  exam- 
,  rccpiest- 
liaiis  had 
)ut  Would 
?.  Upon 
)sc  of  the 
'  crossino;' 
'itch  took 
md  Fitch 
killed  in 
f  the  sol- 
third  sol- 


INTON. 

living-  in 
opkinton, 
1  to  Hop- 
s  of  age, 
Putney's 

e  in  the 
ilh  mus- 
and  took 
ary,  her 
Samuel 
onathan. 
rancis  in 
detained 
ily,)  and 
?re  Bur- 
fever  in 

were  as 

Samuel 

garrison 

seen  fre- 


MARY  FOWLER'S   CAPTIVITY. 


141 


(piontly  scouting  ihro\iL'-li  Hopkuitou  a;id  ihc  othi'r  adjacent 
towns.  Early  on  the  moniing  of  tlu'ir  captivity,  Sainiicl  Bur- 
bank  left  the  garri>5on  and  went  to  the  barn  in  order  to  feed 
the  cattle  heforo  the  rest  were  up,  liMving  the  door  unfastened. 
The  Indians,  who  lay  near  in  ambush,  immediately  sallied 
forth  and  look  him.  From  this  alii'iubi<'il  caj)tive  they  got 
information  that  the  garrison  wa  weak,  whereupon  they 
rushed  in,  and  took  them  all,  excej)l  the  soldier  who  escaped, 
and  B'.irbank's  w'fe,  who  x^creied  herself  in  the  cellar,  du- 
ring this  attack  Mary's  mother,  being  closely  embrac'd  by  a 
sturdy  Indian,  wrested  fn)m  his  side  a  louir  knife,  with  which 
she  was  in  the  act  of  runnin'.;'  him  throu'^h,  when  her  hu.-<band 
j)revail<'(l  with  her  to  desist,  fearing  the  fatal  conse(|uences. 
llowever,  she  secured  the  deadly  weai)i)n,  and  before  they 
commenced  their  m.irch  threw  it  into  ihe  welb  from  whence  it 
was  taken  after  the  captives  returned.  Another  Indian  pre- 
sented a  musket  to  .Mary's  breast,  intending  to  blow  her 
throuirh,  when  a  chief  by  the  name  of  Pernios,  who  ha.d  pre- 
viously received  numerous  kimlnesses  from  her  father's  family, 
instantly  interfered,  and  kept  him  from  his  cruel  design,  taking 
her  for  his  own  captive. 

After  having  arrived  at  St.  Francis,  Penims  sold  Mary  to  a 
squaw  of  another  fatnilv.  while  J.  Burb.iidc  contiimed  in  some 
remote  part  of  the  neighborhood  under  his  own  master.  Ma- 
ry's father  and  brothers,  after  they  were  exchanged,  solicited  a 
contribution  for  her  redemption,  which  was  at  last  obtained 
with  great  dilliculty  for  one  hundred  livres,  through  the  strata- 
gem of  a  French  do^'tor  ;  all  previous  elU^rts  made  by  her 
father  and  brothm's  liaving  failed.  This  tender  parent,  though 
reduced  to  poverty  by  the  savages,  and  having  no  pecuniary 
assistance  except  what  ho  received  through  the  hand  of  charity 
from  his  distant  friends,  had  fre<piemly  visited  St.  Francis  in 
order  to  have  an  interview  with  his  only  daunhler,  and  to 
compromise  with  her  mistress,  ofiering  her  a  large  sum  for 
Mary's  redemption,  but  all  to  no  ellect.  She  refused  to  let  her 
go  short  of  her  weight  in  silver.  iMoreover,  Mary  had  pre- 
viously been  told  by  her  mistress  that  if  she  intimated  a  word 
to  her  father  that  she  wanted  to  go  home  with  him,  she  should 
never  see  his  face  again  ;  therefore,  when  interrogated  by  him 
on  this  subject,  she  remained  silent,  tliroiiLrh  fear  of  worse 
treatment;  yet  she  could  not  conceal  her  grief,  for  her  internal 
agitation  and  distress  of  mind  caused  the  tears  to  flow  pro- 
fusely from  her  eyes.  Her  father,  at  length,  worn  out  with 
grief  and  toil,  retired  to  ■Montreal,  where  he  contracted  with  a 
Frenchmaii  as  an  agent  to  etlect,  if  possible,  the  purchase  of 
his  daughter.     This  agent,  after  having  attempted  a  compro- 


(  '>! 


1 


}  i 


it 


142 


MARY  FOWLER'S   CAPTIVITV. 


I 


mise  several  times  in  vain,  cniployod  a  Frencli  physirian,  who 
was  in  iiigli  reputation  anioni,''  ilic  Indians,  to  assist  him.  The 
doctor,  under  a  cloak  of  friendship,  secretly  advised  Mary  to 
feig-n  herself  sick,  as  the  oidy  aUernalive,  and  gave  her  medi- 
cine for  the  purpose.  This  doctor  was  soon  called  upon  for 
medical  aid;  and  altliough  Ik.-  appeared  to  exert  the  utmost 
of  his  skill,  yet  his  patient  continued  to  grow  worse.  After 
making  several  visits  to  no  ell'ect,  he  at  length  gave  her  over 
as  heing  j)ast  recovery,  advising  her  mistress,  as  a  real  friend, 
to  sell  her  the  first  opj)ortunity  for  what  she  could  get,  even  if 
it  were  but  a  small  sum;  otherwise,  said  he,  she  will  die  on 
your  hands,  and  you  must  lose  her.  The  squaw,  alarmed  at 
the  doctor's  ceremony,  and  the  dangerous  ap[)earance  of  her 
captive,  immediately  contracted  with  the  French  agent  for  one 
hundred  livres ;  whereupon  ]\Iary  soon  began  to  amend  ;  and 
was  shortly  after  conveyed  to  Montreal,  where  she  continued 
six  months  longer  among  the  French  waiting  for  a  passport. 

Thus  after  having  been  compelled  to  three  years'  hard  labor 
in  planting  and  hoeing'  corn,  chopping  and  carrying  wood, 
pounding  samp,  gathering  cranberries  and  other  wild  I'm  it  for 
the  market,  &;c.,  this  young  woman  was  at  length  redeemed 
from  the  merciless  hands  and  cruel  servitude  of  the  savages, 
who  had  not  only  wrested  her  from  her  home,  but  also  from 
the  tender  embraces  of  her  parents,  and  from  all  social  inter- 
course with  her  friends. 

Jonathan  Burbank  was  redeemed  about  the  same  time — be- 
came an  officer,  and  was  aliei ..  .irds  killed  by  the  Indians  in 
the  French  w^ar.  These  sons  of  the  forest  supposing  him  to 
have  been  Rogers,  their  avowed  enemy,  rushed  upon  him  and 
slew  him  without  ceremony,  after  he  had  given  himself  up  as 
a  prisoner  of  war. 

After  six  months'  detention  among  the  French  at  Montreal, 
Mary  was  conveyed  (mostly  by  water)  to  Albany  by  the  Dutch, 
who  had  proceeded  to  Canada  in  order  to  redeem  their  black- 
slaves,  whom  the  Indians  had  previously  taken  and  carried 
thither ;  from  thence  she  was  conducted  to  the  place  of  her 
nativity,  where  she  continued  about  five  years,  and  was  mar- 
ried to  one  Jesse  Corbett,  by  whom  she  had  two  sons.  From 
thence  they  moved  to  Hopkinton  in  this  state,  to  the  place 
where  Mary  had  been  taken  by  the  Indians.  Corbett,  her 
husband,  w\as  drowned  in  Almsbury  river,  (now  Warner  river,) 
in  Hopkinton,  in  the  year  1709,  in  attempting  to  swim  across 
the  river — was  carried  down  into  the  Contoocook,  thence  into 
the  Merrimack,  and  was  finally  taken  up  in  Dunstable  with 
his  clothes  tied  fast  to  his  head.  Mary  was  afterwards  married 
to  a  Jeremiah  Fowler,  by  whom  she   had  five  children.     She 


ician,  who 
liin.  The 
1  JMary  to 
her  iiindi- 
i  upidi  lor 
he  utmost 
ic.  After 
p  licr  over 
eal  Irieiid, 
3t,  even  if 
vill  die  on 
ihirined  at 
ice  of  her 
•nt  for  one 
lend  ;  and 
continued 
assport. 
hard  hibor 
ini^"  'vvood, 
I  I'm  it  for 
redeemed 
e  savages, 
al?^o  from 
cial  inter- 
time — be- 
ndians  in 
ng  him  to 
1  him  and 
elf  up  as 

Montreal, 
10  Dutch, 
leir  black 
id  carried 
ice  of  her 
was  niar- 
?.  From 
the  place 
rbett,  her 
ler  river,) 
im  across 
lence  into 
able  with 
s  married 
en.     She 


MRS.  MCOYS  CAPTIVITY. 


113 


is  now  livinc  in  Cantfrlmry,  in  th<^  enjnyment  of  gooil  health 
and  rcuiarUablc  pouer.-^  of  mind,  bcinir  in  the  uinety-ibird  year 
of  her  aire.  Tbe  foregoing  narrative  was  written  a  few  weeks 
since  as  she  related  it. 


•N| 


NARRATIVE 

OF  THE  CAPTIVITY  OF  :\IIIS.  ISAI?I^M,A  MCOY,  WHO  WAS  TA- 
KKN  CAPTiVi:  AT  Hi'SOM,  X.  H.,  INTIIK  ^'HAll  irir.  COL- 
LHCTEDFROM  Till'.  UKCOLLKCTIONS  OF  AdED  PKOPLK  WHO 
KNFW  IIKK,  i;V  TlIK  KKV.  JONATHAN  CURTIS,  A  MINISTER 
OF  THAT  TOWN,  AROUT  SKVFNTKFN  YFARS  AOO,  AND  HY 
HIM  COMMUNICATED  TO  THE  PUIUTSHERS  OF  THE  NEW 
HAMPSHIRE  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 

Thk  Indians  were  first  attracted  to  the  new  settlements  in 
the  town  of  Epsom,  N.  H,,  by  discovering  M'Coy  at  Suncook. 
now  Pembroke.  Tliis,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,  was  in 
the  yoar  1747.  Reports  were  spread  of  the  depredations  of 
the  Indians  in  various  places  ;  and  M'Coy  had  heard  that  they 
had  been  seen  lurkincf  al)out  the  woods  at  Peiiacook,  now  Con- 
cord. He  went  as  far  as  Pembroke  ;  ascertainetl  that  they 
were  in  the  vicinity  ;  was  somewhere  discovered  by  them,  and 
followed  home.  They  told  his  wife,  whom  they  afterwards 
made  prisoner,  that  they  looked  through  cracks  around  the 
liouse,  and  saw  what  they  had  for  supp(>r  tiiat  niiibt.  They 
however  did  not  discover  themselves  till  the  second  day  after. 
They  probably  wished  to  take  a  little  lime  to  learn  the  strenirth 
and  jireparation  of  the  inhabitants.  Tbe  next  day,  Mrs. 
]\rCoy,  attended  by  tlieir  two  don's,  wont  tiown  to  see  if  any  of 
the  other  families  liad  returned  from  the  garrison.  Sbe  found 
no  one.  On  her  return,  as  she  was  passing  the  block-house, 
which  stood  near  the  ])resent  site  of  the  meeting-house,  the 
dogs,  which  had  passed  round  it,  came  running  back  growling 
and  very' much  excited.  Their  appearance  induced  her  to 
make  the  best  of  her  way  home.  The  Indians  afterwards  told 
her  that  they  then  lay  concealed  there,  and  saw  the  dogs,  when 
they  came  round. 

M'Coy,  being  now  strongly  suspicious  that  the  Indians  were 
actually  in  the  town,  determined  to  set  off  the  next  day  with 
his  family  for  the  garrison  at  Nottingham.  His  family  now 
consisted  of  himself,  his  wife,  and  son  John.  The  younger 
children  were  still  at  the  garrison.  They  accordingly  secured 
their  house  as  well  as  they  could,  and  all  set  off  next  morning ; 


■  f  11 

'; 


1 


v*"^ 


fvi' 


«) 


i 


M 


IS 


'11 

i 


144 


I\IRS.  M'COY'S  C.\PTIV1TV 


— M'Cny  <'iii(l  liis  son  with  ilicir  i^niii^,  ilioiiuli  wit'ioui  runiiiU' 
nitidii,  hiiviiio^  liivd  iiway  what  llicy  broii  {lil  wiili  iliciii  in 
llUl»till^^ 

As  ilicy  wore  travcllini;  a  little  di.-iniicc  oast  of  tlio  place 
\vlioro  iho  I'lootiiiL'-liniiso  now  staiKJs,  Mrs.  M'Coy  I'l  II  a  liltle 
ill  llio  roarc itlio  others.  This  (•ircunistaiico  i;ave  iho  Iiuliaiis 
a  favorable  opportunity  for  soparatiii'.;-  Ixr  I'roin  her  hnsh:iiicl 
and  son.  The  Indians,  three  men  and  a  boy,  lay  in  andnish 
near  the  foot  of  Mardi'n's  hill,  not  far  from  the  junction  of  the 
mountain  road  with  tiie  main  road.  Here  ilicy  .>ull('re(i  M'Coy 
and  his  son  to  j)ass  ;  but,  as  his  wife  was  passinir  them,  they 
reached  from  the  busiies,  and  took  hold  of  her,  chari,''in<*-  be- 
to  mak'e  no  noise,  and  coverinu:  her  mouth  with  their  hands,  as 
she  cried  to  her  husband  for  assistance.  Her  iiusband,  hcarinj^ 
her  cries,  turned,  and  was  at)oul  cominir  to  her  relief.  But  he 
no  sooner  began  to  advance,  than  the  Indians,  expectinnf  proba- 
bly that  he  would  (ire  upon  them,  betran  to  raise  their  jiieccs, 
which  she  pushed  one  side,  and  motioned  to  her  friends  to 
make  their  escajjo,  knowing'  that  their  y;uns  were  not  loaded, 
and  that  they  would  doubtless  be  killed,  if  they  approached. 
They  accordim^dy  ran  into  the  woods  and  made  their  escape  to 
the  garrison.     This  look  place  Auoiist  iil,  1717. 

The  Indians  then  collected  together  what  booiy  they  could 
obtain,  which  consisted  of  an  iron  trammel,  from  Mr.  George 
Wallace's,  the  apples  of  the  oidy  tree  which  bore  in  town, 
wrhicli  was  in  the  orchard  now  owned  by  Mr.  David  CrilRn, 
and  some  other  trillinir  articles,  and  j>re[)ared  to  set  oil"  with 
their  prisoner  for  Canada. 

Before  they  took  their  departure,  they  conveyed  Mrs.  ]\rCoy 
to  a  place  near  the  little  Suncook  river,  where  they  left  her  in 
the  care  of  the  yonng  Indian,  while  the  three  men,  whose 
names  were  afterwards  ascertained  to  be  PIai;.-awa,'^  Sabatis, 
and  Christi,  went  away,  and  were  for  sometime  absent.  Dur- 
ing their  absence,  Mrs.  M'Coy  thought  of  attempting  to  make 
her  escape.  She  saw  opportunities,  wiiei.  slu'.  thouohi  she 
might  dispatch  the  young  Indian  with  ihe  trammel,  which, 
with  other  things,  was  left  wnth  thein.  and  thus  perhajis  avoid 
some  strange  and  barbarous  death,  or  a  long  and  distressing 
ca])iivily.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  she  knew  not  at  what  dis- 
tance tlic  others  were.  If  she  attempted  to  kill  her  young 
keeper,  she  might  fail.  If  she  effected  her  jxirpose  in  this,  she 
might  be  pursued  and  overtaken  by  a  cruel  and  revengeful  foe, 
and  then  some  dreadful  death  would  be  her  certain  portion. 


*  These  were  of  the  Arosagnntacook  or  St.  Francis  tribe, 
knap's  Hist.  N.  H.  vol.  ii.  p.  278. 


See  Bel- 


loin  ninnm- 
ih   tlu'iii   ill 

)!'  th(.'  place 
■  r.  II  a  liitlo 
llic  Indians 
cr   liiislKind 

ill  ainlMi^h 
ction  of  tliu 
:rv(\  M'Cny 

iIh'Iu,  iht-y 
liaririnv;'  hor 
ir  hands,  as 
nd,  hearing 
A.  Ihn  he 
:tinfr  pixiha- 
heir  pieces, 
•r  friends  to 

not  l(»a(led, 
ipproached. 
ir  escape  to 

they  could 
Mr.  George 
e  in  town, 
vid  Griilin, 
et  otr  witii 

lis.  ]\rCoy 

eft  her  in 
nen,  whose 
,^  Sahatis, 
ent.  Dur- 
in-  10  make 
louoht  she 
nel,  which, 
ha])s  avoid 

I  {stressing 
t  what  dis- 
her  young 
in  this,  she 

igeful  foe, 
111  portion. 

e.    See  Bel- 


MRS.  MCOY'S  CAPTIVITY 


145 


On  the  whole,  she  thouirht  best  to  ondeavoi  to  prcpar.-  her 
mind  to  hear  what  ini'^ht  he  no  uiore  than  a  pt^riod  of  >a\aLre 
captivity.  Soon,  however,  the  Indians  retnrieij.  and  put  an 
end  for  the  pa'senl  to  all  thonirhts  of  escape.  From  the  direc- 
tion in  which  they  went  and  returned,  and  from  iheir  mihiiIv 
app(>arance,  she  suspei-ied  what  their  llu^ine^s  had  heen.  >!he 
told  them  she  ^niessed  they  had  heen  liurnimr  her  liou-e. 
Plausavv'a,  who  could  speak  some  broken  English,  informed 
her  they  liad.* 

They  now  commenced  their  long  and  tedious  journey  to 
Canada,  in  which  the  poor  captive  miirht  wtdl  expect  iliat  «.;real 
and  c()mplicale(l  .siiirerin^-s  would  b(>  her  lot.  She  did  indeed 
lind  the  journey  faliyuin'jf,  and  her  fare  scanty  and  precarious. 
But,  in  her  ireatinent  from  the  Indians,  she  experienced  a  very 
agreeable  disa|)pointment.  The  Uindness  she  rec(Mved  iVom 
them  was  far  <reater  than  she  had  expected  from  those  who 
were  so  often  distinguished  for  their  cruelties.  The  apples 
they  had  irathered  they  saved  for  her,  giving  her  one  every 
day.  In  this  way,  they  lasted  her  as  far  on  the  way  as  lake 
Champlain.  They  gave  her  the  lust,  as  they  were  crossing 
that  lake  in  their  canoos.  This  circumstance  gave  to  the  tree, 
on  which  the  apples  grew,  the  name  of  "  IsaheWs  tree,'"  her 
name  beimi^  Isabella.  In  many  ways  did  they  appear  desirou.s 
of  mitigating  the  distresses  of  their  prisoner  wliile  on  their 
tedious  journey.  When  night  came  on,  and  lh(>y  halted  to 
repose  themselves  in  the  dark  wilderness,  Plausawa,  the  head 
man,  would  make  a  little  couch  in  the  leaves  a  little  way  from 
theirs,  cover  her  up  with  his  own  l)laiiket ;  and  there  she  was 
suli'ered  to  sleep  undisturbed  till  inorninnf.  When  they  came 
to  a  river,  which  must  be  forded,  one  of  them  would  carry  her 
over  on  his  back.  Nothinir  like  insult  or  indecency  did  tliey 
ever  offer  her  duriiiLr  the  whole  time  she  was  with  them.  They 
carried  her  to  Canada,  and  sold  her  as  a  servant  to  a  French 
family,  whence,  at  the  close  of  that  war,  she  returned  home. 
But  so  comfortable  was  her  condition  there,  and  her  husband 
being  a  man  of  rather  a  rouG:h  and  violent  temper,  she  deidared 
she  never  should  have  thought  of  atteinpling  the  journey  liome, 
were  it  not  for  the  sake  of  her  children. 

After  the  capture  of  Mrs.  M'Coy,  the  Indians  frequently 
visited  the  towm,  but  never  committed  any  very  irreat  depreda- 
tions. The  greatest  damage  they  ever  did  to  the  property  ol 
the  inhabitants  Avas  the  spoiling  of  all  the  ox-teams  in  tovva. 
At  the  time  referred  to,  there  were  but  four  yoke  of  oxen  in 

♦  The  writer  luis  a  piece  ot  the  iron-ware,  which  was  melted  down  m 
the  burning  of  the  house. 

13 


Mti 


MRS.  M'COV'S  CAPTIVITV'. 


\h 


ly 


h 


rl 


=?i 


iho  pinco,  viz.  M'Coy's,  C'apt.  M'C'Iiiry's,  Ooori'o  WiillacoV, 
and  liiciit.  Hl.ikf's.  It  \v!i>  ;i  time  nf  iijiprclini-ioii  liom  tlie 
liidiiiiis  ;  mill  the  iiilialiiliiiits  had  llifiTlon-  all  lli'd  to  ilir  Lrnr- 
risoii  at  Notliii'jiiaiii.  They  h-fi  ilicir  oxen  i<>  i,M-a/o  alioiii  the 
woods,  with  a  h»dl  upon  om-  <»t'  them.  'i'li<'  liidinns  round  tlu-in, 
shot  otic  out  of  eaidi  y(di;(',  look'  out  their  toni,nics.  made  n 
pri/c  of  the  h(dl,  and  k'lt  thcin. 

The  ft>rocity  and  crutdty  of  the  savnyes  were  donhtlcss  very 
much  averted  l>y  a  friendly,  font'iliatini^  i-oiirso  of  conduct  in 
the  iiihahitants  towards  them.  This  was  pariicularly  the  case 
iti  the  course  pursued  hy  seru"eanl  HIalve.  IJeiiiir  himself  a 
curious  marksman  and  an  expert  hunter,  traits  of  character  in 
their  view  of  the  hi<,''hest  order,  he  soon  secured  tl.eir  respect; 
and,  by  a  course  of  kind  treatmcmt,  he  secured  their  friendship 
to  such  a  deii^ree,  that,  thouL'h  they  had  ftpportunilies,  they 
would  not  injure  him  even  in  time  of  war. 

The  first  he  ever  saw  of  them  was  a  company  of  them  mak- 
ing^ towards  his  housi*,  throu<j^h  the  openini,''  Irom  the  top  of 
Sanborn's  hill.  He  (led  to  the  woods,  and  there  lay  concealed, 
till  they  had  made  a  tliort)UL,''h  search  aliout  his  house  and  en- 
closures, and  had  gone  oil'.  The  next  Mme  his  visitors  came, 
he  was  constrained  to  become  more  ac(pi.iinted  with  them,  and 
to  treat  them  with  more  attention.  As  he  was  busily  enn-ai^ed 
towards  the  close  of  the  day  in  compleiiny  a  yard  for  his  cow, 
the  declining  sun  suddenly  threw  aloni,''  several  enormous  slia- 
dows  on  the  ground  before  him.  He  had  no  sooner  turned  to 
see  the  cause,  than  he  I'ound  liimseM'  in  the  company  of  a 
number  of  stately  Indians.  SeeiiiLT  his  perturbation,  they  pat- 
ted him  on  the  head,  and  told  him  not  to  lie  afrtiid,  for  they 
would  not  hurt  him.  They  then  went  with  him  into  his 
house  ;  and  their  first  business  was  to  search  all  his  bottles  to 
see  if  he  had  any  "■  or  rupee,'"  rum.  They  then  told  him  they 
were  very  huuL'Ty,  and  wanted  something  to  eat.  He  hap])ene(l 
to  have  a  (piarter  of  a  bear,  which  he  gave  tJKMn.  'I'bey  took 
it  and  threw  it  whole  upon  the  fire,  and  very  soon  began  to 
cut  and  eat  from  it  half  raw.  While  they  wc^e  eating,  he 
employed  himself  in  cutting  pieces  from  it,  and  broiling  upon 
a  stick  for  them,  which  pleased  them  very  much.  After  their 
repast,  they  v.ished  for  the  privilege  of  lying  by  his  fire  through 
the  night,  which  he  granted.  The  next  morning,  they  pro- 
posed trying  skill  with  him  in  firing  at  a  mark.  To  this  he 
acceded.  But  in  this,  finding  themselves  outdone,  they  were 
much  astonished  and  chagrined  ;  nevertheless  they  highly 
commended  him  for  his  skill,  patting  liim  on  the  head,  and 
telling  him  if  he  loould  go  off  ivith  them  they  ivouid  make  him 


CAPTIVITY  or  PETKR   WILLIAMSON. 


147 


W'iillai'o's, 

II  liniii    ilir; 

to  I  III'  L''ar- 

0  nlioiii  lUc 
uiiimI  iIu-iii, 

C'S,    IIIMlIc     !l 

i!)tlr>.s  vory 
c'oikIik  t  in 
riy  tln'  case 
r  himsclt'  a 
jliaracicr  iti 
eir  H'spect ; 
r  friuiulsliip 
niiics,   they 

'  th«Mn  mak- 
i  the  top  of 
/  coriccakwl, 
use  and  en- 
siiors  camo, 

1  thcni,  and 
ily  en<;;airt'd 
(or  liis  cow, 
MMuoiis  sha- 
•r  turned  to 
iipany  of  a 
IK  iIk'V  pat- 
lid,  lor  tliey 
ni  into  his 
is  bottles  to 
Id  liini  they 

(■  happened 
They  to(dc 
)n  hcLjan  lo 
eatintr,  he 
(jiliiiL>'  upon 
Al'icr  their 
lire  through 
L!'.  they  pro- 
To  this  lie 
,  I  hey  were 
hey  hii,rhly 
head,  and 
1  viake  him 


f 


1 


ifirir  hi  i*  rapt  (I  ill.     They  iised  oftrn  lo  call  upon  him,  and  his 
kindness  to  theni  they  never  forgot  even  in  lime  (tf  war. 

I'laii>awa  had  a  pei-iiliar  maimer  of  doid)liii'jf  his  lip,  and 
produciniif  a  very  shrill  pii'n'iti'jf  whi>tle.  whieh  miirht  he  heard 
a  irreal  distance.  At  a  time,  when  I'oiisiderahle  ilan<rer  was 
api)reh.'nded  from  the  Indians,  HlaUe  went  oil'  into  the  woods 
alone,  thouirli  considered  ha/ardou^,  to  hxdi  for  his  cow,  that 
was  mis-«inLr.  As  he  was  pas>iiii,f  aloiii,''  hy  Sinclair's  hroolv, 
an  unfrei|ii('nted  place,  northerly  from  .\l "Coy's  nmunlain,  a 
very  loud  >liarp  whistle,  which  he  knew  to  he  I'laiisawa's, 
Slid  lenly  |ta->ed  ihrotiL^h  his  head,  like  the  rejiort  of  a  pistol. 
'i'he  Midden  alarm  alinosi  raised  him  from  the  irround  ;  and, 
with  a  very  liu'ht  stej),  he  soon  reaidied  home  without  his  cow. 
In  more  |)eafe;ih|e  times,  Plansawa  a>keii  him  if  he  did  not 
reinemher  the  lime,  and  laie/hed  very  mueh  to  think  how  he 
ran  at  the  iVi'^ht,  and  told  him  the  rea-;oii  for  his  whi~.ilin^, 
"  Yoinii!  fjifl/fi//,^^  said  he,  "  put  up  i^ini  tn  shoot  hliiijUshiiian. 
Mr  hiiork  it  (li)irii.  dad  irhistlc  to  start  you  off.'"  So  lastinii^  is 
their  friendship,  when  treated  well.  At  the  close  of  the  wars, 
the  Indians  huih  several  wiufwams  near  the  conlluence  f)f  Wal- 
lace's hrook  with  the  i,^reat  Suncook.  On  a  little  island  in  this 
river,  near  the  place  called  "  short  falls,"  one  of  them  lived 
for  a  coh  i(leral)le  time.  IMausawa  and  Sahatis  were  finally 
both  killed  in  time  of  peaei;  hy  one  of  ihe  whiles,  after  a  ilriink- 
en  quarrel,  and  buried  near  a  certain  brook  in  lioscawen. 


A    FAITHFUL    NARRATIVE 

OF  THE  SUFFI'.RIXGS  OF  PETF.R  WILLIAMSON,  WHO  SFTTLED 
i\KAU  TIIH  FOilKS  OI^  TlIK  DF-LAWAKF  IN  PENNSYLVANIA. 
IIAVIN(J  HF.KX  TAKI:N  HV  TilK  INDIANS  IN  HIS  OWN 
HOUSE,  OCTOI5ER  -'.!,  17.-.1.- WRri'TEN  BV  HIMSELF. 

I  WAS  born  within  ten  miles  of  the  town  of  Aberdeen,  in  the 
north  of  Scotland,  of  reputable  parents.  At  cifrht  years  of  aij^e, 
beiiiL^  a  sturdy  boy,  I  was  taken  notice  of  by  two  fellows  bc- 
loninng  to  a  vessel,  employed  (as  the  trade  then  was)  by  some 
of  the  worthy  merchants  of  Aberdeen  in  that  villanous  and 
execrable  praetii-e  of  stealing  youni^  children  from  their  parents, 
and  sellin^r  them  as  slaves  in  the  plantations  abroad,  and  on 
board  the  ship  I  was  easily  cajoled  by  them,  where  1  was  con- 
ducted between  decks,  to  some  others  they  had  kidnapped  in 
the  same  manner,  and  in  about  a  month's  time  set  .sail  for 
America.     When  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  the  captain  sold  us 


i| 


1 


w 


i 


\t  il 


■  r 

(I 


148 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PETER   WILLIAMSON. 


at  about  sixteen  pounds  per  head.  What  bocamc  of  my  un- 
happy companions  I  never  knew;  but  it  was  my  lot  to  be  sold 
for  seven  years,  to  one  of  my  i'ountrym<!i,  who  had  in  his 
youth  been  kidnapped  like  myself,  but  from  another  town. 

Having"  no  children  of  his  own,  and  commiseratinpr  my  con- 
dition, he  look  care  of  me,  indulg-ed  me  in  fj^oinij  to  school, 
where  I  went  every  winter  for  five  years,  and  made  a  tolerable 
proficiency.  With  this  good  master  1  continued  till  he  dii^d, 
and.  as  a  reward  for  my  faithful  service,  he  left  me  two  hun- 
dred pounds  currency,  which  was  then  about  an  hundred  and 
twenty  pounds  Uerlin^-,  his  best  horse,  saddle,  and  all  his 
wearini;  apparel. 

Beinc^  now  seventeen  years  old,  and  my  own  master,  having 
money  in  my  pocket,  and  all  other  necessaries,  I  employed 
myself  in  jobbing  for  near  seven  years  ;  when  I  resolved  to 
settle,  and  married  the  daughter  of  a  substantial  planter.  My 
fa'her-in-law  made  me  a  deed  of  gift  of  a  tract  of  laiul  that  lay 
(ur)happily  for  nu-,  as  it  has  since  proved)  on  the  frontiers  of 
the  province  of  J'ennsylvania,  near  the  forks  of  Delaware, 
containing  about  two  hundred  acres,  thirty  of  which  were  well 
cleared  and  fit  for  immediate  use,  on  which  were  a  good  house 
and  barn.  The  j)lace  pleasing  me  well,  I  settled  on  it.  My 
money  I  expended  in  buying  stock,  household  furniture,  and 
implements  for  out-of-door  work  ;  and  being  happy  in  a  good 
wile,  my  felicity  was  complete  :  but  in  1754,  the  Indians,  who 
had  for  a  long  time  before  ravaged  and  destroyed  other  parts 
of  Ajiiorica  unmolested,  began  now  to  be  very  troublesome  on 
tlie  ironti'M's  of  our  province,  where  they  generally  appeared  in 
small  skulking  parties,  committing  great  devastations. 

Ttrrsbie  and  shocking  to  human  nature  were  the  barbarities 
daily  committed  by  these  savages  !  Scarce  did  a  day  pass  but 
some  unhappy  family  or  other  fell  victims  to  savage  cruelty. 
Terribie,  indeed,  it  proved  to  me,  as  well  as  to  many  others,  I, 
that  was  now  happy  in  an  easy  state  of  life,  blessed  with  an 
afi'ectionate  and  tender  wife,  became  on  a  sudden  one  of  the 
most  iinliappy  of  mankind  :  scarce  can  I  sustain  the  shock 
which  forever  recurs  on  recollecting  the  fatal  second  of  Octo- 
ber, 1754.  My  wife  that  day  went  from  home,  to  visit  some 
of  her  relations;  as  I  staid  up  later  than  usual,  expecting  her 
return,  none  being  in  the  house  besides  myself,  how  great  was 
my  surprise  and  terror,  when,  about  eleve  '  o'clock  at  night,  I 
heard  tlie  dismal  war-whoop  of  the  savages,  and  found  that  my 
house  w^as  beset  by  them.  I  fle\v  to  my  chamber  window,  and 
perceived  them  to  be  twelve  in  number.  Having  my  gun 
loaded,  I  threatened  them  with  death,  if  they  did  not  retire. 
But.  how  vain  and  fruitless  are  the  efrorls  of  one  man  against 


\ 


I 


i. 

ic  of  my  un- 
ot  to  be  sold 
1  hud  in  his 
or  town. 
tin<T  my  con- 
njT  to  school, 
lo  a  tolerable 

till  he  (lied, 
mo  two  hun- 
hundrod  and 

and    all    his 

istcr,  havin<^ 
I  employed 
I  resolved  to 
ilanter.  My 
land  that  lay 
^  frontiers  of 
f  Delaware, 
oh  were  w^ell 
1  f];-ood  house 
d  on  it.  My 
iirniture,  and 
py  in  a  good 
Indians,  who 
d  other  parts 
)ublesome  on 
appeared  in 
ons. 

no  barbarities 
day  pass  but 
aire  cruelty, 
ly  others.  I, 
-sod  with  an 
1  one  of  the 
n  the  shock 
and  of  Octo- 
o  visit  some 
xpccting  her 
w  great  was 
k  at  night,  I 
und  that  my 
window,  and 
ng  my  gun 
i  not  retire, 
man  against 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PETER  WILLIAMSON. 


149 


! 


the  united  force  of  so  ma?iy  blood-thirsty  monster?  !  Otie  of 
them  that  could  sjjoak  English  tbrcaloncd  n\v  in  return,  "that 
if  1  tlid  not  come  out  they  would  burn  me  aliv(^"  adding,  how- 
ever, "  that  if  I  would  come  out  and  surrender  myself  prisoner 
they  would  not  kill  me."  In  >urh  deplorable  cinuunsiaiu'es,  I 
chose  to  rely  on  their  promises,  rather  than  meet  death  by 
rejecting  them  ;  and  accordingly  went  out  of  the  house,  with 
my  gun  in  my  hand,  not  kiu)\ving  that  I  had  it.  Immediately 
on  my  approach  they  rushed  on  me  like  liufers,  and  instantly 
disarmed  me.  Having  me  thus  in  their  power,  they  bound  me 
to  a  tree,  went  into  the  house.  plundertMl  it  of  every  thing  they 
could  carry  otf,  and  then  set  fire  to  it,  and  consumed  what  was 
left  before  my  eyes.  Not  satisfied  with  this,  they  set  fire  to 
my  barn,  stable,  and  out-houses,  wherein  were  about  two  hun- 
dred bushels  of  wheat,  six  cows,  four  horses,  and  live  sheep,  all 
which  were  consumed  to  ashes. 

Having  thus  finished  the  execrable  business  about  which 
they  came,  one  of  the  monsters  came  to  me  with  a  tomahawk 
and  threatened  me  with  the  worst  of  deaths  if  I  would  not  go 
with  them.  This  I  agreed  to,  and  then  they  untied  me,  and 
gave  me  a  load  to  carry,  under  which  I  travelled  all  that  night, 
full  of  the  most  terrible  apprehensions,  lost  my  unhappy  wife 
should  likewise  have  fallen  into  their  ^ruel  power.  At  day- 
break my  inferiial  masters  ordered  me  to  lay  down  my  load, 
when,  tying  my  hands  again  round  a  tree,  they  forced  the  blood 
out  at  my  fingers'  ends.  And  then  kindling  a  fire  near  the 
tree  to  which  I  was  bound,  the  most  dreadful  agonies  seized 
me,  concluding  I  was  going  to  be  made  a  sacrifice  to  their 
barbarity.  The  fire  being  made,  they  for  some  time  danced 
round  me  after  their  manner,  whooping,  hollowing  and  sliriek- 
ing  in  a  frightful  manner.  Being  satisfied  with  this  sort  of 
mirth,  they  proceeded  in  another  manner:  taking  the  burning 
coals,  and  sticks  fiaming  with  fire  at  the  ends,  holding  them  to 
my  face  liead,  hands,  and  feet,  and  at  the  same  time  threaten- 
ing to  burn  me  entirely  if  I  cried  out.  Thus  tortured  as  I  was, 
almost  lo  death,  I  suiiered  their  brutalities,  witlujut  being  al- 
lowed to  vent  my  anguish  otherwise  than  by  shedding  silent 
tears ;  am!  these  being  observed,  they  took  fresh  coals  and 
applied  thera  near  my  eyes,  telling  me  my  face  was  wet,  and 
that  they  would  dry  it  for  me,  which  indeed  they  cruelly  did. 
How  I  underwent  th(>se  tortures  has  been  matter  of  wonder  to 
me,  but  God  enabled  me  to  wait  with  more  than  common 
patience  for  the  deliverance  I  daily  prayed  for. 

At  length  they  sat  down  round  the  fire,  and  roasted  the  meat, 
cf  which  they  had  robbed  my  dwelling.      When  they  had  sup- 
ped, they  otTered  some  to  me  ;  though  it  may  easily  be  imagined 
13* 


1 


I  I] 


If 


>lt 


^l! 


150 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PETER  WILLIAMSON". 


i 


h ' 


w 


•i      <    i 


I  imd  but  little  appetite  to  eat,  after  the  tortvircs  and  miseries  I 
had  suffered,  yet  was  I  forced  to  seem  pleased  with  what  they 
oflered  me,  lest  by  ref\ising  it  they  should  rcassuine  their  hel- 
lish practices.  What  I  could  not  eat  1  contrived  to  hide,  they 
haviiiijf  unbound  me  till  they  inla^•ined  I  had  eat  iiil  ;  Inil  then 
tiiey  bound  me  as  before  ;  in  which  deplorable  condition  I  was 
forced  to  continue  the  whole  day.  When  the  sun  was  set,  they 
put  out  the  (ire,  and  covered  the  ashes  with  leaves,  as  is  their 
usual  custom,  that  the  white  people  might  not  discover  any 
traces  of  their  having  been  there. 

Going  from  thence  along  the  Susquehanna,  for  the  space  of 
six  miles,  loaded  as  I  was  before,  we  arrived  at  a  spot  near  the 
Apalachian  mountains,  or  Blue  hills,  where  they  hid  their 
plunder  under  logs  of  wood.  From  thence  they  proceeded  to 
a  neighboring  house,  occupied  by  one  Jacob  Snider  and  his 
unhappy  family,  consisting  of  his  wife,  five  children,  and  a 
young  man  his  servant.  They  soon  got  admittance  into  the 
unfortunate  man's  house,  where  they  immediately,  without  the 
least  remorse,  scalped  both  parents  and  children  ;  nor  could  the 
tears,  the  shrieks,  or  cries  of  poor  innocent  children  prevent 
their  horrid  massacre.  Having  ilius  scalped  them,  and  plun- 
dered the  house  of  every  thing  that  was  movable,  they  set  fire 
to  it,  and  left  the  distressed  victims  amidst  the  flames. 

Thinking  the  young  man  belonging  to  this  unhappy  family 
would  be  of  service  to  them  in  carrying  part  of  their  plunder, 
they  spared  his  life,  and  loaded  him  and  myself  with  what  they 
had  here  got,  and  again  marched  to  the  Blue  hills,  where  they 
stowed  their  goods  as  before.  My  fellow-sufferer  could  not 
support  the  cruel  treatment  which  we  were  obliged  to  suffer, 
and  complaining  bitterly  to  me  of  his  being  unable  to  proceed 
any  farther,  I  endeavored  to  animate  him,  but  all  in  vain,  for 
he  still  continued  his  moans  and  tears,  which  one  of  the  sava- 
ges perceiving,  as  we  travelled  along,  came  up  to  us,  and  with 
his  tomahawk  gave  him  a  blow  on  the  head,  which  frlled  the 
unhappy  youth  to  the  ground,  whom  they  immediately  scalped 
and  left.  The  suddenness  of  this  murder  shocked  me  to  that 
degree,  that  I  was  in  a  manner  motionless,  expecting  my  fate 
would  soon  be  the  same :  however,  recovering  my  distracted 
thoughts,  I  dissembled  my  anguish  as  well  c  s  I  could  from  the 
barbarians  ;  but  still,  such  was  my  terror,  that  for  some  time  I 
scarce  knew  the  days  of  the  week,  or  what  I  did. 

They  still  kept  on  their  course  near  the  mountains,  where 
they  lay  skulking  four  or  five  days,  rejoicing  at  the  plunder 
they  had  got.  When  provisions  became  scarce,  they  made 
their  way  towards  Sus(piehanna,  and  passing  near  another 
house,  inhabited  by  an  old  man,  whose  name  was  John  Adams, 


r 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PETER  WLLIAMSON. 


151 


miseries  I 
viiai  llicy 
llu'ir  hol- 
lidc,  they 
hut  then 
ion  I  was 
s  set,  they 
as  is  their 
cover  any 

e  space  of 
t  near  the 

hid  their 
Dceeded  to 
:>r  and  his 
en,  and  a 
ze  into  the 
without  the 
r  could  the 
;n    nrevent 

and  plun- 
ley  set  fire 

ppy  family 

ir  phinder, 

what  they 

vliere  they 

couUl  not 
d  to  suffer, 
to  proceed 
n  vain,  for 
f  the  sava- 
s  and  with 

frlled  the 
?ly  scalped 
me  to  that 
ng  rny  fate 
r  distracted 
d  from  the 
ome  time  I 

lins,  where 
le  plunder 
Lhcy  made 
w  another 
hri  Adams, 


with  his  wife  and  four   small  childrfMi,  and  me(>tinfj  with    no 
resistance?,  they  iinniediatdy  scalpi'd   the  mother  ;ind  her  chil- 
dren hefore  the  oKl   nnin's  eye^.      Inhuman  and   horrid  as  this 
was,  it  did  W)\  siitist'y  iheni ;   for  wIkmi  thi>y  liad  nuird'T'Ml  the 
poor  woinui,  they  acted  with   Iut  in   sui-h  a  hrutal  manner   as 
decency  will   not   permit  me   to  mention.      The  nnhajipy  \\n<- 
band,  not  li.'iirj  ahl>  to  avoid  the   siirht,  entreiited  tlu-m  to  put 
an  end   lo   his   lui.-crahlc  hein^;   Imt  they  were   as  doa(  to  the 
tears  and  entreaties  of  this  venerahh^  sulii'rer  as  they  had  been 
to   those  of  the   olIuM's,  and  proceeded  to  hurn  and  destroy  his 
house,  barn,  corn,  luiy,  cattle,  and  cn-ery  thinir  the  poor  man   a 
few   hours   lielVire   was   master  of.      Havinir  saved   what  they 
thouirht  proper  from  the  flames,  they  cfave  the  old  man,  feeble, 
weak,  and   in   the  miserable  condition  he  then  was,  as  well  as 
myself,  burdens  to  carry,  and  loading  themselves  likewise^  with 
bread    and   meat,    p\irsued    their    journey   towards   the    Great 
swamp.     Here  they  lay  for  eii^ht  or  nine  days,  diverting  tliem- 
selves,  at  limes,  in  barbarous  cruelties  on  the  old  man  :   some- 
times they  would  strip  him  naked,  and  paint  him  all  over  with 
various  sorts  of  colors;  at  other  times    they  would  pluck  the 
white   hairs  from   his  head,  and   tauntinirly  tell  him   he  was  a 
fool  for  living  so  long,  and  that  they  should  show  him  kindness 
in  putting  him  out  of  the  world.      In  vain  were  all  his  tears, 
for  daily  did  they  tire  themselves  with  the  various  means  they 
tried   to  torment   him ;    sometimes   tying   him  to   a  tree,  and 
whippinir  him  ;  at  other  times,  scorching  his  furrowed  cheek 
with    red-hot  coals,  and   burning  his   legs  quite   to  the  knees. 
One  night,  after   he   had  been  thus  tormented,  whilst  he  and  I 
were   condoling  each  other  at  the  miseries  we  daily  suffered, 
twenty-live  other  Indians  arrived,  bringing  with  them  twenty 
scalps  and  three  prisoners,  who  had  unhappily  fallen  into  their 
hands  in  Cotmrrocheacue,  a  small  town  nenr  the  river  Susque- 
hanna, chiefly  inhabited   by  the    Irish.      These  prisoners  gave 
us  some  shocking  accounts  of  the  nmrders  and  devastations 
committed   in   their  parts  ;  a  few   instances  of  which  will  en- 
able the  reader  to  guess  at  the  treatment  the  provincials  have 
suffered   for    years  past.     This  party,  who  now  joined  us,  had 
it  not,  I  found,  in   their  power  to  begin  their  violences  so  soon 
as  those  who  visited  my  habitation  ;  the  first  of  their  tragedies 
being  on    the  2'5th   of  October,  1754,  when  John  Lewis,  with 
his  wife  and  tliree  small  children,  were  inhumanly  scalped  and 
murdered,  and  his   house,  barn,  and  every  thing  he  possessed 
burnt  and  destroyed.     On  the  28th,  Jacob  Miller,  with  his  wife 
and    six   of  his    family,  with  every  thing  on    his   plantations, 
shared  the  same  fate.     The  30th,  the  hotise,  mill,  barn,  twenty 
head  of  cattle,  two  teams  of  horses,  and  every  thing  belonging 


u 


.  1^ 

■  i 


\'\ 


»   'S 


li 


\. 


■  <      r   I 


\i    I 


'  s 


i 


152 


CAPTTVITY  OF  PETER  WILLIAMSON. 


to  GcorTC  Folkc,  met  with  thf  like  treatment,  himself,  wife, 
and  all  his  miserable  family,  consisting  of  nine  in  number,  bein^- 
scalped,  then  cut  in  pieces  and  g'iven  to  tlic  swine.  One  of 
the  substantial  traders,  belonirinu:  to  the  province,  liavinnf  busi- 
ness that  called  him  some  miles  up  the  country,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  these  rudians,  who  not  only  scalped  him,  but  imme- 
diately roasted  him  before  he  was  dead;  then,  like  carniil>als, 
for  want  of  other  food,  eat  his  wliole  hody,  and  of  his  head 
made,  what  they  called,  an  Indian  puddincf. 

From  these  few  instances  of  sa\ai,'-e  cruelty,  the  deplorable 
situation  of  the  defenceh^ss  inhabitants,  and  what  they  hourly 
suffered  in  that  part  of  the  globe,  must  strike  the  utmost  hor- 
ror, and  cause  in  every  breast  the  itmost  detestation,  not  only 
against  the  authors,  but  against  those  who,  through  inatten- 
tion, or  pusillanimous  or  erroneous  principles,  sullered  these 
savages  at  first,  unrepelled,  or  even  unmolested,  to  commit 
such  outrages,  depredations,  and  murders. 

The  three  prisoners  that  were  brought  with  these  additional 
forces,  constantly  repining  at  their  lot,  and  almost  dead  with 
their  excessive  hard  treatment,  contrived  at  last  to  make  their 
escape ;  but  being  far  from  their  own  settlements,  and  not 
knowing  the  country,  were  soon  after  met  by  some  others  of 
the  tribes  or  nations  at  war  with  us,  and  brought  back.  The 
poor  creatures,  almost  famished  for  want  of  sustenance,  having 
had  none  during  the  time  of  their  escape,  were  no  sooner  in 
the  power  of  the  barbarians  than  two  of  them  were  tied  to  a 
tree,  and  a  great  fire  made  round  them,  where  they  remained 
till  they  were  terribly  scorched  and  burnt;  when  one  of  the 
villains  with  his  scalping-knife  ripped  open  their  bellies,  took 
out  their  entrails,  and  burned  them  before  their  eyes,  whilst 
the  others  were  cutting,  piercing,  and  tearing  the  llesh  from 
their  breasts,  hands,  arms,  and  legs,  with  red-hot  irons,  till 
they  were  dead.  The  third  unhappy  victim  was  reserved  a 
few  hours  longer,  to  be,  if  possible,  sacrificed  in  a  more  cruel 
manner :  his  arms  were  tied  close  to  his  body,  and  a  hole 
being  dug  deep  enough  for  him  to  stand  uprialit.  he  was  put 
into  it,  and  earth  rammed  and  beat  in  all  round  his  body  up 
to  his  neck,  so  that  his  head  only  appeared  above  ground ; 
they  then  scalped  him,  and  there  let  him  remain  for  three  or 
four  hours  in  the  greatest  agonies ;  after  which  they  made  a 
small  fire  near  his  head,  causing  him  to  suffer  the  most  excru- 
ciating torments ;  whilst  the  poor  creature  could  only  cry  for 
mercy  by  killing  him  immediately,  for  his  brains  were  l)oiIing 
in  his  head.  Inexorable  to  all  he  said,  they  contimied  the  fire 
till  his  eyes  gushed  out  of  their  sockets.  Such  agoni;;ing  tor- 
ments did  this  unhappy  creature  suffer  for  near  two  hours 


ki 


CAPTIVITY   OF    PETER   WILLlAxMSON. 


153 


nself,  wife, 
ihcr,  being 
One  of 
iviiig  busi- 
•11  into  tlie 
hnl  iinmc- 
canniljiils, 
f  his  head 

deplorable 
bey  hourly 
jlniost  hor- 
n,  not  only 
jh  inalten- 
ered  these 

to  commit 

I  additioml 
dead  with 
make  their 
ts,  and  not 
e  others  of 
lack.      The 
ce,  having 
sooner  in 
e   tied  to  a 
y  remained 
one  of  the 
)ellies,  took 
yes,  whilst 
llesli  from 
irons,    till 
reserved  a 
more  cruel 
md  a  hole 
he  was  put 
lis  body  up 
^e  ground ; 
or  three  or 
ley  made  a 
nost  excru- 
(uly  cry  for 
ere  boiling 
led  the  fire 
)ni;:ing  tor- 
two  hours 


before  he  was  quite  dead.  They  then  cut  ofl'  his  hen.l,  and 
buried  it  with  tlic  other  bodies;  iny  task  beiutr  K'  <lig  the 
graves  ;  which,  f('('l)l('  and  terrified  as  I  was,  the  dread  of  suf- 
fering the  same  fate  cnabhMl  me  to  do. 

A  great  snow  nf»\v  falling,  the  barbarians  were  fearful  lest 
the  while  penpic  slntujil,  bv  their  tracks,  lind  out  their  skulk- 
ing retreats,  which  (»i»liiT(Ml  theni  to  make  tlu^  best  of  their  way 
to  their  wint(>r-(|narters,  about  two  hundred  miles  farther  from 
any  plantations  or  inhabitants.  After  a  Ioul'"  and  jiainful  jour- 
ney, bfMni>'  almost  starved,  I  iirriveil  with  this  infernal  crew  at 
Alamin^'o.  'JMhto  I  found  a  number  of  wii,'' vatiis  full  of  their 
wf)ineii  and  children.  DanciuLT^  siniiinir.  and  shoutinu:  were 
their  ireniM'al  aiiiiiseinent^.  A;i(|  iti  all  their  festivals  and 
dances  they  relate  what  successes  they  have  lind,  and  what 
damatres  thev  liave  sustained  in  their  I'xpeditions  ;  in  which  I 
now  i'ntiap])i'y  became  a  part  of  tlu-ir  theme.  Th(>  s(n-erity 
of  the  cold  in,'re:isiiiL>-,  they  strijiped  me  of  in\'  clothes  for  their 
.  wn  use,  and  gave  me  such  as  they  usually  wore  themselves, 
being  a  piece  of  blanket,  and  a  pair  of  moccasons.  or  shoes, 
with  a  yard  of  coarse  cloth,  to  put  round  me  instead  of 
breeches. 

At  Alamingo  I  remained  near  two  months,  till  the  snow  was 
off  the  ground.  Whatever  thou^rhts  I  might  have  of  making 
my  escape,  to  carry  them  into  execution  was  impracticable, 
being  so  far  from  any  plantations  or  white  people,  and  the 
severe  weather  rendering  my  limbs  in  a  manner  cpiite  stitFand 
motionless  ;  however,  I  contrived  to  defend  myself  against  the 
inclemency  of  the  weather  as  well  as  I  could,  by  making  my- 
self a  little  wi<T\vani  with  the  bark  of  the  trees,  covering  it 
with  earth,  which  made  it  resemble  a  cave  ;  and,  to  prevent 
the  ill  effects  of  the  cold,  I  kept  a  good  tire  always  near  the 
door.  My  lit)eriy  of  q-oing  about  was,  indeed,  more  than  I 
could  hav(^  expected,  but  they  well  knew  the  impracticability 
of  my  escapiiur  Irom  them.  Seeing  me  outwardly  easy  and 
submissiv'e,  they  would  sometimes  give  me  a  little  meat,  hut 
my  chief  food  was  Indian  corn.  At  length  the  time  came 
when  they  were  jirejiaring  themselves  for  another  expedition 
against  the  planters  and  white  people  ;  but  before  they  set  out, 
they  were  joined  by  many  other  Indians. 

As  soon  as  the  snow  was  ([uite  gone,  they  set  forth  on  their 
journey  towards  the  back  parts  of  the  province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  all  leaving  their  wives  and  children  behind  in  their 
wigwams.  They  w-qvo  now  a  formidable  body,  amounting  to 
near  one  hundred  and  (ifty.  My  business  was  to  carry  what 
they  1110^,411  proper  to  load  me  with,  but  they  never  intrusted 
me  with  a  gun.      We   marched   on  several   days   without  any 


!    ; 


:   n 


M 


U:li 


V    -^ 


i         (!! 


154 


CAPTIVITY   OF   PETER    WILLIAMSON. 


thino-  particular  occnrriiifr,  almost  fnmisliod  for  want  of  provis- 
ions;  for  my  part,  I  iiad  nothiny'  l)Ul  a  few  stalks  of  Indian 
corn,  which  I  was  <,rhul  to  cat  dry  ;  nor  did  the  Indians  them- 
selves fare  much  better,  for  as  we  drew  near  the  plantations 
they  were  afraid  to  kill  any  trame,  lest  the  noise  of  their  guns 
should  alarm  the  irdiahii.ints. 

When  we  ai:;tin  arrived  at  the  Blue  hills,  al>out  thirty  miles 
from  the  Irish  settlements  l)efore  mentioned,  we  encamped  for 
three  days,  ihouLrh  God  knows  we  had  neither  tents  nor  any 
thing-  else  to  defend  us  from  the  inclemency  of  the  air,  having- 
nothing"  to  lie  on  by  night  biit  the  grass  ;  their  usual  method 
of  lodgiuiT,  pitching,  or  encamping,  by  night,  being  in  parcels  of 
ten  or  twelve  men  to  a  fire,  where  they  lie  u])on  the  grass  or 
brush  wra|)])ed  up  in  a  blanket,  with  their  feet  to  the  lire. 

During  our  stay  })ere,  a  sort  of  council  of  war  was  held, 
when  it  was  ag^reed  to  divide  themselves  into  companies  of 
about  twenty  men  each  ;  after  which  every  captain  marched 
with  his  ]iarty  where  he  thought  pio[)er.  I  siill  belonged  to 
my  old  masters,  but  was  left  behind  on  the  mountains  with  ten 
Indians,  to  stay  till  the  rest  should  return  ;  not  thiidiing  it 
proper  to  carry  me  nearer  to  Conogocheague,  or  the  other 
plantations. 

Here  I  began  to  meditate  an  escape,  and  though  I  knew  the 
country  round  extremely  well,  yet  I  was  very  cautious  of  g-iv- 
ing  the  least  suspicion  of  any  such  intention.  However,  the 
third  day  after  the  grand  body  left,  my  companions  thought 
proper  to  traverse  the  mountains  in  search  of  game  for  their 
subsistence,  leaving  me  bound  in  such  a  manner  that  I  could 
not  escape.  At  night,  when  they  returned,  havinj^  unbound  me, 
we  all  sat  down  together  to  supper  on  what  they  had  killed, 
and  soon  after  (being  greatly  fatigued  with  their  day's  excursion) 
they  composed  themselves  to  rest,  as  usual.  I  now^  tried  vari- 
ous ways  to  try  whether  it  was  a  scheme  to  prove  my  intentions 
or  not ;  but  after  making  a  noise  and  walking  about,  sometimes 
touching  them  with  my  feet,  I  found  there  was  no  fallacy. 
Then  I  resolved,  if  possible,  to  get  one  of  their  guns,  and,  if 
discovered,  to  die  in  my  defence,  rather  than  be  taken.  For 
that  purpose  I  made  various  efforts  to  get  one  from  under  their 
heads,  (where  they  always  secured  them,)  hut  in  vain.  Disap- 
pointed in  this,  I  began  to  despair  of  carrying  my  design  into 
execution  ;  yet,  after  a  little  recollection,  and  trusting  myself 
to  the  divine  protection,  I  set  forwards,  naked  and  defenceless 
as  I  was.  Such  was  my  terror,  however,  that  in  going  from 
them  I  halted,  and  paused  every  four  or  five  yards,  looking 
fearfully  towards  the  spot  where  1  had  left  them,  lest  they 
should  awake   and   miss  me ;  but  when  1  was  two  hundred 


CAPTIVITY    OF    PETEIl    WILLIAMSON, 


155 


I  of  provis- 

ot'  Indian 

iiuis  lliern- 

))l;uitalion.s 

iheir  guns 

liirly  miles 
cauipecl  for 
Its  nor  any 
air,  having- 
lal  method 

I  parcels  of 
he  grass  or 
e  lire. 

•  was  held. 
HI  panics  of 

II  marched 
belonsfed  to 
lis  with  ten 
thinking  it 
r   tile   other 

I  knew  the 
ous  of  giv- 
owcver,  the 
ns    thought 
le   for  their 
;hat  I  could 
nbound  mc, 
had  killed, 
excursion) 
tried  vari- 
;'  intentions 
sometime? 
no  fallacy, 
uns,  and,  if 
aken.     For 
under  their 
in.     Disap- 
dcsign  into 
ling  myself 
defenceless 
going  from 
ds,  looking 
1,  lest  they 
vo  hundred 


'  i 


yards  from  them,  I  mended  my  pace,  and  made  as  much  haste 
as  1  possibly  could  to  the  foot  of  the  mountains;  when,  on  a 
sudden,  1  was  .struck  with  the  greatest  terror  at  hearing  the 
wood  cry,  as  it  is  called,  which  the  s.ivages  1  had  left  were 
making  upon  missing  their  charge.  The  more  my  terror  in- 
creased the  faster  I  pushed  on,  and,  scarce  knowing  where  I 
trod,  drove  throuL^h  the  woods  wiih  the  utmost  precipitation, 
sometimes  falling  and  bruising  myself,  cuttim^-  my  feet  and  legs 
against  the  stones  in  a  miserable  manner.  lint  iaint  and 
maimed  as  I  was,  I  continued  my  lliglit  till  daybreak',  when, 
without  having  any  thinir  to  sustain  nature  but  a  little  corn 
left,  I  crept  into  a  liolbjw  tree,  where  I  lay  very  snug,  aiul 
returned  my  prayers  and  thanks  to  the  tlivinu  Being  that  had 
thus  far  favored  my  escape.  But  my  repose  was  in  a  few 
liours  destroyetl  at  hearing  the  voice's  of  the  savaufes  near  the 
place  where  I  was  hiil,  threatening  and  talking  how  they 
would  use  me  if  they  got  me  again.  However,  they  at  last 
left  the  spot  where  I  heard  them,  and  I  remained  in  my  apart- 
ment all  that  day  without  further  molestation. 

At  night  I  ventured  forwards  again,  frightened;  thinking 
each  twig  that  touched  mc  a  savage.  The  third  day  1  con- 
cealed myself  in  like  manner  as  before,  and  at  night  travelled, 
keeping  ofl^  tiie  main  road  as  much  as  possible,  which  length- 
ened my  journey  many  miles.  But  how  shall  I  describe  the 
terror  I  felt  on  the  fourth  nii^ht,  when,  by  the  rustling  I  made 
among  the  leaves,  a  party  of  Indians,  that  lay  round  a  small 
fire,  which  I  did  not  perceive,  started  from  the  ground,  and, 
seizing  their  arms,  ran  from  the  fire  amongst  the  wood^ 
Whether  to  move  forward  or  rest  where  I  v,as,  I  knew  not, 
when,  to  my  great  surprise  and  joy,  I  was  relieved  by  a  parcel 
of  swine  that  made  towards  thi^  j)lace  where  I  guessed  the  sav- 
ages to  be  ;  who,  on  seeing  them,  imagined  they  had  caused 
the  alarm,  very  merrily  returned  to  the  lire,  and  lay  again 
down  to  sleep.  Bruised,  crip[)led,  and  territied  as  I  was,  I  pur- 
sued my  journey  till  break  of  day,  when,  thinking  myself  safe, 
I  lay  down  under  a  great  log,  and  slept  till  about  noon.  Be- 
fore evening  I  reached  the  summit  of  a  great  hill,  and  looking 
out  if  I  could  spy  any  habitations  of  white  people,  to  my  inex- 
pressible joy  I  saw  some,  which  I  guessed  to  be  about  ten 
miles'  distance. 

In  the  morning  I  contintied  my  journey  towards  the  nearest 
cleared  lands  I  had  seen  the  day  before,  and,  about  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  arrived  at  the  house  of  John  Bell,  an  old  ac- 
quaintance, where  knocking  at  the  door,  his  wife,  who  opened 
it,  seeing  me  in  such  a  frightful  condition,  flew  from  me, 
screaming,  into  the   house.     This  alarmed  the  whole  family, 


It 


:i 


I 


i 


156 


MRS.   JEMIMA    HOWES    CAPTIVITY. 


who  iinnruMliiUcly  fled  to  tlioir  arms,  nivl  I  wns   snon   accosted 
by  tli(!  iiiasicr  wiili  hi^.  oim  in  his  hainl.      ]h\\  on  niaKiti[r  iny- 
.scll"  Ivhowii,  (tor  lie  Ix'forc  look  uif  to  lie  an  Indiiin,)  lie  iiiuno- 
dialely   cart'sscd    mo,  a>   did    all    his    Ihtnily.   with    (Xtraordi' 
nary    iViondship,    tlic  report  of   inv    hoinu'    inurcU'red   by    the 
sava^fc^s    havinj,''    roacdicd    thcni    sonio    inonihs    h(d"oro.       For 
two   days   and   ni^diis    they    very    alieclionatcly   supplied    me 
.with  all  necessaries,  and  carel'iilly  attended  me    till  my  spirits 
and  limbs  were   pretty  well   recovered,  and    I  thoue-ht  myself 
able  to    ride,  wlien    I    borrowed    of"  these   ii()o<\  people  (whose 
kindness  merits  my  most  gratelnl  returns)  a    horse    and  some 
clothes,  and  set  forward  for  my  I'aiher-in-law's  house  in  Ches- 
ter county,  about   one   hundred  and    forty  miles   from   thence, 
where  I  arrived   on  the  4th  of  January,  17.5'3,  (but   scarce  one 
of  the  family  could  credit   their  eyes,  believinir,  with   the  peo- 
ple I  had  lately  left,  that  I  had    fallen  a   prey  to   the   Indians,) 
where  1  was  received  and  embraced  by  the  whole  family  with 
great  afTection.      Upon  inquirincr  for  my  dear  wife,  I  found  she 
had  been  dead  two  months  !     This  fatal  news  greatly  lessened 
the  joy  I   otherwise   should   have  felt  at  my  deliverance  from 
the  dreadful  state  and  company  I  had  been  in. 


A   PARTICULAR   ACCOUNT   OF    THE    CAPTIVITY 

AND  REDEMPTION  OF  MRS.  JEMIMA  HOWE,  WHO  WAS 
TAKEN  PRISONER  BV  THE  I.NDIANS  AT  HINSDALE,  NEW 
HAMPSHIRE,  ON  THE  TWI<:NTV-SEVENTH  OF  JULY,  1755, 
AS  COMMUNICATED  TO  DR.  BELKNAP  BV  THE  REV.  BUN- 
KER GAY. 

As  Messrs.  Caleb  Howe,  Hillciah  Grout,  and  Benjamin 
Gafficld,  who  had  been  hoeing  corn  in  the  meadow,  west  of 
the  river,  were  returning  home,  a  little  before  sunset,  to  a 
place  called  Bridgman's  fort,  they  were  fired  upon  by  twelve 
Indians,  wlio  had  and)ushed  their  ]i;uh.  Howe  was  on  liorse- 
back,  with  two  youny  lads,  his  children,  behind  him.  A  ball, 
which  broke  his  thigh,  Itrought  him  to  the  i>round.  His  horse 
ran  a  few  rods  and  fell  likewise,  and  both  the  lads  were  taken. 
The  Indians,  in  their  savage  mamicr  coming  np  to  Howe, 
pierced  his  body  Avith  a  spear,  tore  off  his  scalp,  stuck  a  hatchet 
in  his  head,  and  left  him  in  this  forlorn  condition.  He  was 
found  alive  the  morning  after,  by  a  party  of  men  from  fort 
Hindsdale  ;  and  being  asked  by  one  of  the  parly  whether  he 
knew  him,  he  answered,  "  Yes,  I  know  you  all."  These  were 
his  last  words,  though  he  did  not  expire  until  after  his  friends 


n; 
n: 


MRS.    JEMDIA    HOWE'S   CArilVITY. 


167 


n  nccosted 
akirifr  iny- 
lie  iniinc- 
f'Xtraordi- 
Dcl  by  tliR 
ore.  For 
pplied  me 
my  spirits 
(111  myst'lt' 
pie  (\vho!>c 
niid  some 
:e  ill  Clios- 
im  thence, 
scarce  one 
h  iho  peo- 
[?  Indians,) 
imily  with 
I  found  she 
ly  lessened 
ranee  from 


PTIVITY 

^vIIo  WAS 

)AI.E,  NEW 
JULY,  1755, 
REV.  BUN- 

Hcnjamin 

\v,  west  of 

inset,   to   a 

l)y  twelve 

on  horse- 

.      A  ball, 

His  horse 

voro  taken. 

to  Howe, 

k  a  hatchet 

He  was 

n  from  fort 

vhether  he 

^hese  were 

his  friends 


II 


\ 


had  arrived  with  him  ai  fort  Hiiid-d.ili'.  (Irout  was  so  fortu- 
nate :»>  to  f'scapc  inihini.  Hut  (laliidd.  in  attempMn-j' to  wade 
throufrh  the  riv.'r,  at  a  certain  place  which  was  indeed  i'orda- 
ble  at  that  time,  was  unrorlnn.ifeiy  drouind.  Flushed  with 
the  success  they  had  met  with  here,  the  sava<j:e>  went  diiectly 
to  BridL^man's  fort.  There  was  no  man  in  it.  and  oulv  ihree 
women  and  some  children,  viz.  Air^.  .lemima  Howe,  Mrs. 
SuI'mil  (Jrout,  and  Mrs.  J'^nnicc*  fJallield.  'I'heir  hu>haMds  I 
need  not  mention  attain,  and  their  feelinfrs  at  this  juncture 
I  will  not  attempt  to  describe.  They  had  heard  the  eiiemyV' 
fruns,  l)ut  knew  not  what  had  iiappi-ned  to  their  iViend^.  Kx- 
tremelv  anxious  for  their  s;iletv,  thev  >lood  lonirinir  to  embrace 
them,  until  at  length,  concludinL'"  from  the  noise  they  Inward 
without  thai  some  of  them  wi're  come,  they  unbarred  the  f^jite 
in  a  hurry  to  receive  them;  when,  io  I  to  their  inexpressible 
disappointment  and  surprise,  inst(\ul  of  their  husbands,  ii\ 
rusheil  a  numl)er  of  hideous  Indians,  to  whom  they  and  tlunr 
tender  ofispring  becami.'  an  easy  prey,  and  from  whom  they 
had  nothing  to  expect  but  either  an  immediate  death  or  a  long 
and  doleful  captivity.  The  latter  of  these,  by  the  favor  of 
Providence,  turned  out  to  be  the  lot  of  these  unhappy  women 
and  their  still  mon.'  unhappy,  because  more  helpless,  children. 
]\Irs.  Gadield  had  but  one,  Mrs.  Grout  had  three,  and  Mrs. 
Howe  seven.  The  eldest  of  Mrs.  Howe's  was  eleven  years 
old,  and  the  youngest  hut  six  months.  The  two  elde>t  w(>re 
daughters,  which  she  had  by  her  tirst  husband,  Mr.  William 
Phipps,  who  was  also  slain  hy  the  Indians,  ol'  which  I  doubt 
not  but  you  have  ^cen  an  account  in  Mr.  Doolittle's  history. 
It  was  from  the  mouth  of  this  woman  that  I  latelv  receiveil  the 
fbregointj  account.  She  also  gave  me,  I  doubt  not,  a  true, 
though,  to  be  sure,  a  verv  brief  and  imperfect  history  ol'  her 
captivity,  wliich  I  here  insert  for  your  perusal.  It  may  jier- 
haps  all'ord  you  some  amusement,  and  can  do  im  harm,  if, 
after  it  has  undergone"  your  critical  iiispc^ction,  you  should  not 
think  it  (or  an  abbreviation  of  it)  worthy  to  be  preserved  among 
the  records  you  are  about  to  puidish. 

The  Indians  (she  savs)  having  plundered  and  put  fire  to 
the  fort,  we  nnirched,  as  near  as  I  could  iudn'e.  a  mile  and  a 
half  into  the  woods,  where  we  encamped  that  niiiht.  When 
the  morning  came,  and  we  had  advanced  as  much  farther,  six 
Indians  were  sent  back  to  the  place  of  our  late  abode,  who  c(d- 
lected  a  little  more  plunder,  and  ch^stroyed  some  other  elfects 
that  had  been  left  behind  ;  but  they  did  iml  return  until  the 
day  was  s^o  far  spent,  that  it  was  judi'-ed  best  to  continue  where 
we  were  through  the  night.  Early  the  next  nmrning  we  set 
off  for  Canada,  and  continued  our  march  eight  days  succea- 

14 


11 


15& 


MRS.  JEMIMA    IIOWE.S  CAPTIVITY. 


sivcly.  until  wi-  luirl  roai'li'Ml  ilic  jjlaco  wlif-rc!  lln'  Iii'iian.-*  iiad 
left  tlii'ir  (.•aiiof.-,  mImhiI  lilliMn  mill's  I'loiii  Crown  I'dint,  Tliis 
was  a  \<n\g  and  icdioiis  march;  but  tlir  captivt's,  I'V  diuac 
assi>lnnee,  were  cnaMcd  *'  cniluix'  it  willi  Ic.-s  irdulilc  and 
diliiciiliy  than  ihcy  had  rv.  ,a  to  expert.  From  >uv\\  sava<jc 
masters,  in  siiidi  indi'jent  (•hi'um>lances,  we  could  not  ration- 
allv  hope  for  Kinih-r  ircatmcni  than  \vc  received.  Some  of  tis, 
it  i*s  true,  had  a  iiarder  h)t  than  others  ;  and,  anionic  the  chil- 
dren, I  ihonLdit  my  son  S(piir(>  had  the  hardest  of  any.  lie 
wa.s  then  oidy  four  years  old,  and  when  we  slopped  to  rest  our 
weary  limhs,  and  he  sal  (h)wn  on  his  master's  j)ack,  the  savarro 
monster  would  often  knock  hini  oil';  and  sometimes,  too,  with 
the  handle  of  his  hatchet.  Several  ugly  marks,  indented  in 
his  head  l>y  the  cruel  Indians,  at  that  tender  ajje,  are  siill 
plainly  to  be  seen. 

At  lenijili  we  arrived  at  ('rown  Point,  and  took  up  our 
quarters  there  for  the  space  of  near  a  week.  In  ihe  tnean 
time  some  of  the  Indians  went  to  Montreal,  and  took  several 
of  the  weary  captives  alonti^  u  ith  them,  with  a  view  of  selling 
ihem  to  the  French.  They  did  not  succeed,  however,  iti  find- 
ing a  market  for  any  of  them.  They  gave  my  youngest 
daughter,  Submit  Pliipps,  to  the  governor,  do  Vaudreuil,  had 
a  druidcen  frolic,  and  returned  again  to  Crown  Point  with 
the  rest  of  their  prisoners.  From  hence  we  set  off  for  St. 
Johns,  in  four  or  live  canoes,  just  as  night  was  coming  on, 
and  were  soon  surrounded  with  darkness.  A  heavy  siorrn 
hung  over  us.  The  soutid  of  the  rolling  thunder  was  very 
terrible  upon  the  waters,  which,  at  every  flash  of  expansive 
lightning,  seemed  to  be  all  in  a  blaze.  Yet  to  this  we  were 
indebted  for  all  the  light  we  enjoyed.  No  object  could  wc 
discern  any  lonuer  than  the  flashes  lasted.  In  this  posture 
we  sailed  in  our  open,  tottering  canoes  almost  the  whole  of 
that  dreary  night.  The  morning,  indeed,  had  not  yet  begun 
to  dawn,  when  we  all  went  ashore  ;  and  having  coU'.'cted  a 
heap  of  sand  and  gravel  for  a  pillow,  I  laid  myself  down,  with 
my  tender  infant  by  my  side,  not  knowing  where  any  of  my 
other  children  were,  or  what  a  miserable  condition  they  mioht 
be  in.  The  next  day,  however,  ujider  the  wing  of  that  ever- 
present  and  all-powerful  Providence,  which  had  preserved  us 
through  the  darkness  and  imminent  dangers  of  the  preceding 
night,  we  all  arrived  in  safely  at  St.  Johns. 

Our  next  movement  was  to  St.  Francois,  tV  •  metropolis,  if 
I  may  so  call  il,  to  which  the  Indians,  who  led  us  captive, 
belonged.  Soon  after  our  arrival  at  their  wretched  capital,  a 
council,  consisting  of  the  chief  sachem  and  some  principal 
warriors  of  the  St.  Francois  tribe,  was  convened ;  and  after 


I 


i<lian."*  iiad 

int.      This 

\>y   (lisiiic 

I'diilili'   alicl 

irh  siiv;iL;'e 

iiol  raiioii- 

ioiiK'  of  lis, 

1^  tlic  cliil- 

jiiiy.      lie 

to  roi  otir 

the  suvajre 

s  too,  with 

luk'iitcd  ill 

e,  arc  slill 

ok  up  our 

the   mean 

)olc  several 

:  of  selling 

er,  in  find- 

!   yoiinfTcst 

(Ireiiil,  had 

Point  with 

off  for  St. 

'oiiiini^'  on, 

'a\ V  siorrn 

r  was  very 

expansive 

s  we  were 

could  wc 

lis  posture 

whole  of 

yet  heg\in 

roU-'oted  a 

)wn,  with 

liny  of  my 

hey  might 

that  ever- 

e.^erved  us 

preceding' 

tropolis,  if 
IS  captive, 

capital,  a 
principal 

and  after 


MRS    JEMIMA   TIOWK'S  CAPTIVITY. 


l/)9 


ihc  ceremnnios  usual  on  such  occasions  were  over,  I  was  con- 
ducted and  deliveri'd  to  an  ohl  scpiaw,  whom  thf  Indians  told 
nil'  1  must  Cidl  mv  mother;  mv  infant  still  continuing  to  be 
the  property  of  it-;  ori'jinal  Indian  fiwiiers.  I  was  neviTlho- 
less  permitted  to  keep  it  with  me  ji  while  longer,  for  the  sake 
of  siiviiiL,'  them  llii»  trouhle  of  lookiiis^''  after  it,  and  of  main- 
laininu  it  with  mv  milk.  When  the  weather  henran  to  prow 
cold,  shudderitiL,''  at  the  |>rospect  of  upproachini,'  winter.  I 
ai'ipiainted  my  new  moilwi-  that  I  ditl  not  think  it  would  ho 
possihie  for  mi'  to  endure  it,  if  1  must  spend  it  with  her,  and 
Ian'  as  the  Imliaiis  diil.  Listenin'jf  to  my  repeated  and  earnest 
solicitations,  that  1  mi-jht  !>'•  disposed  of  amoti!'"  some  of  the 
French  iiih'ihitants  of  Caiiaila,  she,  at  lenL'th,  set  otl'  with  ine 
i.iid  my  iiilaiit,  aiieiided  hy  some  male  Indians,  u|>on  a  jdurney 
to  .\l(»iitreal,  in  hopes  of  rindiiUY  a  market  lor  me  there.  I'ut 
tlif  attempt  proved  unsuccessful,  and  the  journey  tedious 
indeed.  Our  [n'ovi-^ions  were  so  scanty,  as  well  as  insipid  and 
unsavory,  the  weather  was  so  cold,  and  the  travellintf  so  very 
bad,  that  it  often  seemed  as  if  I  must  have  perished  on  the 
way.  The  lips  of  my  poor  cliild  were  sometimes  so  benumbed, 
that  when  I  put  it  to  my  breast  it  could  not,  till  it  t^rew  warm, 
imbibe  the  nourishment  requisite  for  its  support.  While 
we  were  at  Montreal,  we  went  into  the  house  of  a  certain 
French  gentleman,  whose  lady,  being  sent  for,  and  coming 
into  the  room  where  I  was,  to  examine  me,  seeing  I  had  an 
infant,  exclaimed  suddenly  in  this  manner,  "  Datnn  it,  I  will 
not  buy  a  woman  that  has  a  child  to  look  after."  There  was 
a  swill-pail  standing  near  me,  in  which  I  observed  some  crusts 
and  crumbs  of  bread  swimming  on  thr;  surface  of  the  greasy 
licpior  it  contained  ;  sorelv  pinched  with  hunger,  I  skimmed 
them  oil'  with  my  hands  and  eat  them;  and  this  was  all  the 
refreshment  which  the  house  alforded  me.  Somewhere,  in 
the  course  of  this  visit  to  Montreal,  my  Indian  mother  was  so 
unfortunate  as  to  catch  the  small-pox,  of  which  distemper  she 
died,  soon  after  our  return,  which  was  by  water,  to  St.  Francois. 
And  now  came  on  the  season  when  the  Indians  began  to 
prepare  for  a  winter's  hunt.  I  was  ordered  to  return  my  j)oor 
child  to  those  of  them  who  still  claimed  it  as  their  property. 
This  was  a  severe  trial.  The  babe  clung  to  my  bosom  with 
all  its  might;  but  I  was  obliged  to  pluck  it  thence,  and  deliver 
it,  shrieking  and  screaming,  enough  to  penetrate  a  heart  of 
stone,  into  the  hands  of  those  unfeeling  wretches,  whose  tender 
merci?'S  may  be  te.-med  rruel.  It  was  soon  carried  off  by  a 
liunting  party  of  thosi;  Indians  to  a  place  called  Messiskow,  at 
the  lower  end  of  lake  Cliamj)lain,  whither,  in  about  a  month 
after,  it  Was  my  fortune  to  follow  them.     I  had  preserved  my 


i\ 


ino 


MRS    JEMIMA    HOWES   CAPTIVITY, 


■  j 

'! 

I  ! 
1  , 


milk  in  hopps  of  spoin?  my  beloved  diild  niriii'i-  And  hero  I 
fourui  it,  it  is  true,  Imt  in  :i  cnndition  tliat  iid'orded  nio  no  n'rcnt 
snti^^;l(•li()n,  ii  liciiii;  <jrf;itlv  •'inininted,  nnd  iilnm^t  stiirved.  I 
look  it  in  my  arms,  pni  its  (ace  to  niin.*.  imd  it  in.staiitly  bit  mr 
with  sncli  \  iolfiico  that  it  seemed  us  if  I  must  liave  parted  with 
a  piece  (»(  my  rheelv.  I  was  permitted  to  lodLTo  with  it  that 
and  the  two  Inllowini,'  niL'hls;  hut  every  mnrnine'  that  inter- 
vened, the  Indians,  I  Mipp(»sf>  on  pnr|)f>se  to  torment  me,  sent 
ine  awav  to  another  wiiiwani  which  stood  at  a  little  distance, 
thou'/h  not  so  far  from  th"  ouf  in  which  my  distres.^ed  infant 
was  conlined  hut  that  1  conld  plainly  hear  its  ittcessanl  cries 
and  heart-reiidinir  lamentations.  In  this  deplorahle  condition 
I  was  oliliir,.(l  to  take  my  |ea\e  r»f  it,  on  the  im)rnin!j^  of  the 
third  day  alter  my  arrival  at  the  place.  We  moved  down  the 
lak(^  several  miles  the  same  day;  and  the  nie-jit  lollowinLT  was 
remarkable  on  ucconnt  of  the  i^rint  turllKpidki''*^  which  terri- 
bly shook  that  howlin'j;  wilderness.  Amon-:^  the  islands  here- 
abonts  we  spent  the  winter  season,  often  shiltinq-  onr  (piarters, 
and  rovinir  about  from  one  place  to  another;  our  family  eon- 
sistiiiir  of  three  persons  only,  besides  mysfdf,  viz.  my  late 
mother's  dane;litor,  whom  therefore  I  called  my  sister,  iicr 
SHidiop,  and  a  pa|)poose.  They  once  left  me  alone  two  dismal 
niufhts  ;  and  when  they  returned  to  me  airain,  perceivinn-  thcin 
smile  at  each  other,  I  asked,  What  is  the  matter?  They  re- 
plied that  two  of  my  childreti  were  no  more  ;  one  of  which, 
they  said,  died  a  natural  death,  and  the  other  was  knocked  on 
the  head.  1  did  not  utter  many  words,  but  my  heart  was 
sorely  pained  within  me,  and  my  mind  cxceedine-ly  troubled 
with  stranire  and  awful  ideas.  I  often  imaQ-ined,  for  instance, 
that  I  plainly  siiw  the  naked  carca.sses  of  my  deceased  children 
hanijinij:  upon  the  limbs  of  the  trees,  as  the  Indians  are  wont  to 
hang-  the  raw  hides  of  those  beasts  which  they  take  in  hunting". 
It  w^as  not  Ion"-,  however,  before  it  was  so  ordered  by  kind 
Providence,  that  1  should  bo  reliev«Ml  in  a  ffood  measure  from 
those  horrid  ima<>inations  ;  for  as  I  was  walking  one  day  upon 
the  ice,  observinsf  a  smoke  at  some  distance  upon  the  land,  it 
must  proceed,  thouirht  I,  from  the  fire  of  some  Indian  hut,  and 
who  knows  but  some  one  (»f  my  poor  children  may  be  there? 
My  curiosity,  thus  excited,  KmI  me  to  the  place,  and  there  I 
found  my  son  Caleb,  a  little  boy  between  two  and  three  years 
old,  whom  I  had  lately  buried,  in  setxtiment  at  least,  or  rather 
imagined  to  have  been  deprived  of  life,  and  perhaps  also  denied 
a  decent  grave.  I  found  him  likewise  in  tolerable  health 
and  circumstances,  under  the  protection  of  a  fond  Indian 
mother;  and  moreover  had  the  happiness  of  lodging  with  him 

*  November  18,  1755. 


'5 


MRS.  JEMIMA  HOWE"?   CAPTIVITV. 


161 


11(1  licro  I 
f)  no  •i^rciU 
tarvfd.     I 
itly  J>it  iiip 
:»rt('(l  with 
illi    it  thai 
that  inter- 
t  nio,  sj'Ht 
'  (lisiaiH'c, 
.<('(!  infant 
sanl  crif's 
condition 
injT  of  tlio 
(h)\vn  the 
iwiiiL'"  was 
hich  tcrri- 
:\n(ls  hero- 
r  (jiiartcrs, 
uiiily  fon- 
.  my   late 
sister,  her 
wo  dismal 
vinir  them 
They  ro- 
of which, 
nocked  on 
heart  was 
y  tronhled 
instance, 
I  cliildren 
(^  wont  to 
1  hunting. 
I  hy  kind 
lire  from 
(hiy  upon 
land,  it 
lilt,  and 
he  there? 
1    there  I 
ree  years 
or  rather 
so  denied 
(>   health 
I    Indian 
with  him 


c 


in  my  arms  one  joyful  niirht.  Aijain  we  shifted  our  unarters, 
nnd  when  Wf  had  travelled  eifht  or  t»'n  tnihs  upon  the  snow 
and  ii'c,  caiiK' to  a  plai'<>  wIhtc  thr  Indians  inannfa<"tured  sii<rar. 
which  they  extractrd  Iroin  tln'  maplf  trees.  Mere  an  Indian 
came  to  visit  us,  whom  I  knew,  ami  could  speak  ICnijIish.  lie 
a'^ked  me  why  1  did  not  l'"o  to  sec  my  son  Si|iiire.  I  replnd 
that  I  had  lately  \ivou  informed  that  he  was  dead.  He  assured 
me  that  lie  was  yet  alive,  and  hiil  two  or  three  rniles  oil',  on 
th(  opposite  sidi'  of  the  lake.  At  my  re(|iiest  he  nave  me 
tli(>  l)e>i  directions  he  could  to  the  place  of  his  ahode.  I 
res(dved  to  (Mid)race  the  first  opportunity  that  otlired  of  endea- 
voriiicr  to  seareli  it  out.  While  I  w;is  hiisy  in  coiiti'inplatini!^ 
this  atfair,  the  Indians  ohtained  a  little  hread,  of  which  they 
gave  me  a  small  share.  1  did  not  taste  a  morsel  of  it  myself, 
but  saved  it  all  for  my  poor  child,  if  1  should  he  so  lucky  us  to 
find  him.  Ai  lenirih,  haviniy  ohlain(>d  of  my  keepers  leave  to 
be  absent  for  one  day,  I  set  f)!!' early  in  the  moriiiny;,  and  sleer- 
inir,  as  well  as  I  could,  accordin*]^  to  the  directions  which  the 
frendly  Indian  had  given  me,  I  (piickly  found  the  place  which 
he  had  so  accurately  marked  out.  I  beheld,  as  1  drew  ni^/h, 
my  little  son  without  the  camp;  but  he  look(>d,  thoug'ht  I,  like  a 
starv(>d  and  manii^y  pnppy,  that  had  b(>en  wallowincr  in  the  ashes. 
I  took  him  in  my  arms,  and  he  spoke  to  mo  these  words,  in 
the  Indian  tonrrue  :  "  Mother,  are  you  come  ?"  I  took  him  into 
the  w  iL''wam  with  me,  and  observinij  a  number  of  Iidian  chil- 
dren in  it,  I  distributed  all  the  bread  which  I  had  reserved  for 
my  own  child,  among  them  all,  otherwise  I  should  have  given 
great  oflence.  My  little  boy  appeared  to  be  very  fond  of  his 
ru'w  mother,  kept  as  near  me  as  possible  while  I  staid,  and 
when  1  told  him  I  must  go,  he  fell  as  though  he  had  f^een 
knocked  down  with  a  club.  But  having  leconmiended  him  to 
the  care  of  Him  that  made  him,  when  the  day  was  far  spent, 
and  the  time  would  permit  me  to  stav  no  longer,  I  departed, 
y  )u  may  w  dl  suppose  with  a  heavy  load  at  my  heart.  The 
ti  Hni^^s  1  hnd  received  of  the  death  of  my  youngest  child  had, 
a  little  before,  been  confirmed  to  me  beyond  a  doubt,  but  I 
could  not  mourn  so  heartily  for  the  deceased  as  for  the  living 
child. 

When  the  winter  broke  up,  we  removed  to  St.  Johns  ;  and 
through  the  ensuing  summer,  our  principal  residence  was  at 
no  great  distance  from  the  fort  at  that  place.  In  the  mean 
time,  how^ever,  my  sister's  husband,  having  been  out  with  a 
scouting  party  to  some  of  the  Knglij'i  settlements,  had  a 
drun.'<en  frolic  at  the  fort,  when  he  returned.  His  wife,  who 
never  got  drunk,  but  had  often  exp^'rieuc*.  1  the  ill  eti'ects  of  her 
husbai.d's  intemperance,  fearing  what  the  consequence   might 

14* 


i .  :l 


r=sr 


H 

\\ 
in 


'I 


I  I 


I  ■   I'' 


'   , 

1 

la 

1 

* 

162 


MRS.  JEMIMA  HOWE'S  CAPTIVITY. 


prove  if  he  should  romo  home  m  a  morose  and  mrbulent  hu- 
mor, to  avoid  lii^  insolcncp.  projioscd  tliat  we  should  both  retire, 
and  keep  out  of  the  reai-h  of  it  uuld  t!'r  .sionn  abated.  We  ab- 
.<5conde(i  ac(V)rdiiii;ly,  but  so  it  happened  that  I  nHurned  and  ven- 
tured into  his  presence,  before  iiis  wife  had  presumed  to  come 
nifrh  liim.  I  found  him  in  his  wii^waTn,  and  in  a  surly  mood  ; 
and  not  beiniT  al»le  to  revensjfe  upon  bis  wife,  because  she  was 
not  at  home,  he  laid  hi'ld  of  me,  and  hurried  me  to  the  fort, 
and,  for  a  triflinfr  consideration,  sold  me  to  a  French  irentleman 
whose  name  was  Saccapee.  'Tis  an  ill  wind  certainly  that 
blows  nobody  any  jjood.  I  h:ul  been  with  the  Indians  a  yea. 
hickingr  fourteen  days;  and,  if  not  for  my  sister,  yet  for  me, 
'twas  a  lucky  circumstance  indeed,  which  thus  at  last,  in  an 
unexpected  moment,  snatched  me  out  of  their  cruel  hands,  and 
placed  me  beyond  the  reach  of  their  insolent  power. 

After  my  Indian  master  had  disposed  of  me  in  the  manner 
related  above,  and  the  moment  of  sober  reflection  had  arrived, 
pGrceiving  that  the  man  who  boufrhl  me  had  taken  the  advanta^'^e 
of  him  in  an  unc^uarded  hour,  his  resentments  bei^an  to  kindle, 
and  his  indig-nation  rose  so  hii^h,  that  he  'hreatened  to  kill  me 
if  he  should  meet  me  alone,  or  if  he  coulc  not  revenge  himself 
thus  that  he  would  set  fire  to  the  fort.  1  <as  therefore  secreted 
in  an  upper  chamber,  and  the  fort  careiuily  guarded,  until  his 
wrath  had  time  to  cool.  M  service  in  the  family  to  which  I 
was  now  advanced,  was  perfei  i  freedom  in  comparison  of  what 
it  had  been  among  the  barbarous  Indians.  M)  new  master 
and  mi.slre!=^s  were  both  as  kind  and  generous  towards  me  as  I 
could  airyways  ex])ect.  I  seldom  asked  a  favor  of  eitlier  of 
them  but  it  was  readily  granted  ;  in  conse([uence  of  which  I 
had  it  in  my  power,  in  mar;y  instances,  to  administer  aid  and 
refreshment  to  the  poor  prisoners  of  my  own  nation,  who  were 
brought  into  St.  Johns  during  my  abode  in  the  family  of  the 
above-mentio.;ed  bonevolent  and  hospitable  Saccapee.  Yet 
even  in  this  family  such  trials  awaited  me  as  I  had  little  reason 
to  expect,  but  stood  in  need  of  a  large  stock  of  prudence,  to 
enable  me  to  encounter  them.  Must  I  tell  you  then,  that  even 
the  good  old  man  himself,  who  considered  tr  as  his  property, 
and  likewise  a  warm  and  resolute  son  of  his,  at  that  same  time, 
and  under  the  same  roof,  became  both  excessively  fond  of  my 
company;  so  that  be'ween  these  two  rivals,  the  father  and  the 
son,  I  found  myself  in  ?i  very  critical  situation  indeed,  and  was 
greatly  embarrassed  and  perplexed,  hardly  kno^ving  many 
times  how  to  behave  in  such  a  manner  as  at  once  to  secure 
my  own  virtue,  and  the  good  esteem  of  the  family  in  which  I 
resided,  and  upon  which  1  was  wholly  dependent  for  my  daily 
support.     At  length,  however,  through  the  tender  compassion 


^  -  ' 


MRS.  JEMIIMA  HOWE'S  CAl'TIVITY. 


163 


)ulont  hu- 
oth  rciirc, 
\Vc  ilb- 
l  and  vcn- 
d  to  come 
rly  mood  ; 
^  she  wns 
)  the  fort, 
jeMtlemaii 
a  inly  that 
ms  a  yea.' 
et  for  me, 
hist,  in  an 
ands,  and 

ic  manner 

d  arrived, 

advanta^^e 

to  kindle, 

to  kill  me 

^c  himself 

re  secreted 

1,  until  his 

to  which  I 

)n  of  what 

?\y  master 

Is  me  as  I 

either  of 

f  which  I 

er  aid  and 

who  were 

ily  of  the 

lee.     Yet 

tie  reason 

udence,  to 

that  even 

property, 

^ame  time, 

md  of  my 

3r  and  the 

1,  and  was 

n<^    many 

to  secure 

n  which  I 

•  my  daily 

ompassion 


of  a  certain  Enfrlish  gentleman,*  the  Governor  de  Vaudreuil 
being  made  accjnainted  with  the  cnndiiion  I  had  fallen  into, 
immediately  ordered  the  young  and  amorous  Sii«'i;:ipee,  tlum 
an  otiicer  in  tlie  French  army,  from  the  tield  of  V^enus  to  the 
field  of  Mars,  and  at  the  same  time  also  wrote  a  letter  to  his 
father,  enjoining  it  upon  iiim  by  no  means  to  suffer  mo  to  be 
abused,  but  to  make  my  situation  and  service  in  his  family  as 
easy  and  delighlfi  1  as  possible.  I  was  moreover  uniler  un- 
speakable obligations  to  the  governor  upon  anollur  account. 
I  had  received  iiuelligencc  from  my  daughter  INIary,  the  pur- 
port of  which  WHS,  that  there  was  a  prospect  of  her  being 
shortly  married  to  a  young  Indian  of  the  tribe  of  St.  Francois., 
with  which  tribe  she  had  continued  from  the  beginninir  of  her 
captivity.  These  were  heavy  tidings,  and  added  greatly  to 
the  poignancy  of  my  other  afflictions-.  However,  jmt  long 
after  I  had  heard  this  melancholy  news,  an  opportunity  pre- 
sented of  acquainting  that  humane  and  generous  gentleman, 
the  commander-in-chief,  and  my  illustrious  benefactor,  with 
this  affair  also,  who,  in  compassion  for  my  sufferings,  and  to 
mitigate  my  sorrows,  issued  his  orders  in  good  time,  and  had 
my  daughter  taken  away  from  the  Indians,  and  conveyed  to 
the  same  nunnery  where  her  sister  was  then  lodged,  with  his 
express  injunction  that  they  should  both  of  them  together  he 
well  looked  after,  and  carefully  educa  d,  as  his  adopted  chil- 
dren. In  this  school  of  superstition  and  bigotry  they  contin- 
ued while  the  war  in  those  days  between  France  and  Great 
Britain  lasted.  At  the  conclusion  of  which  war,  the  governor 
went  home  to  France,  took  my  oldest  daughter  along  with  him, 
and  married  her  then  to  a  French  gentleman,  whose  name  is 
Cron  Lewis.  Ho  was  at  Boston  with  the  fleet  under  Count 
de  Estaing,  [1778]  and  one  of  his  clerks.  My  other  daugh- 
ter still  continuing  in  the  nunnery,  a  considerable  time  had 
elapsed  after  my  return  from  captivity,  when  I  made  a  journey 
to  Canada,  resolving  to  use  my  best  endeavors  not  to  return 
without  her.  I  arrived  just  in  time  to  prevent  her  being 
sent  to  France.  She  was  to  have  gone  in  the  next  vessel  that 
sailed  for  that  place.  And  I  found  i*  extremely  diflicult  to 
prevail  with  her  to  quit  the  nuimery  and  go  home  with  mc  ; 
yea,  she  absohitely  refused,  and  all  the  persuasions  and  argu- 
ments I  could  use  with  her  were  to  no  eflect,  until  after  I  had 
been  to  the  governor,  and  obtained  a  letter  from  him  to  the 
superintenderU  of  the  nuns,  in  which  he  threatened,  if  my 
daughter  shouUl  not  be  immediately  delivered  into  my  hands, 
or  could  not  be  prevailed  with  to  submit  to  my  paternal  aulhor- 

*  Col.  Peter  Schuyler,  then  a  prisoner. 


ifl 


i! 


I 


.1 


164 


MRS.  JEMIMA  HOWES  CAPTIVITY. 


ity,  that  ho  wonhl  send  a  hand  of  .-soldiers  to  assist  mc  in 
brintriiig  her  away.  Upon  hearinir  this  slie  made  no  farther 
rcsi^^tan'•^.  But  so  extri  iiKdy  Mt^oicd  was  she  to  the  customs 
and  religion  of  the  jilacc,  that,  after  all,  she  left  it  with  the 
greatest  reluctance,  and  the  most  bitter  lamenlaliotis,  which 
she  contiiMied  as  we  passed  the  streets,  and  wholly  refused  to 
be  comforted.  My  good  friend.  Major  .Mnall-  whom  AVe  met 
with  on  the  way,  tried  all  he  could  to  console  Jier  ;  and  was  so 
very  kind  and  fthliging  as  to  bear  us  company,  and  carry  my 
daughter  behind  him  on  horseback. 

But  I  have  run  on  a  little  before  my  story,  for  I  have  not 
yet  informed  you  of  the  means  and  marnier  of  my  own  re- 
deinption,  to  the  accomplishing  of  which,  the  recovery  of  my 
daughter  just  mentioned,  and  tlu;  ransoming  of  se  ae  of  my 
other  children,  several  gentlemen  <'(  note  contributed  not  a 
little  ;  to  whose  goodness  therefore  I  am  greatly  indebted,  and 
sincerely  hope  I  shall  never  be  so  ungrateful  as  to  forget.  Col. 
Schuyler  in  particular  was  so  very  kind  and  generous  as  to 
advance  2700  livrcs  to  procure  a  ransom  for  myself  and  three 
of  my  children.  He  accompanied  and  conducted  lis  from 
Montreal  to  Albany,  and  entertained  us  in  the  most  friendly 
and  hospitable  manner  a  considerable  time,  at  his  own  house, 
and  I  believe  entirely  at  his  own  expense. 

I  have  spun  out  the  above  narrative  to  a  much  greater  length 
than  I  at  first  intended,  and  shall  conclude  it  with  referring 
you,  for  a  more  ample  and  brilliant  accotmt  of  the  captive 
heroine  who  is  the  subject  of  it,  to  Col.  Humphrey's  History 
of  the  Lit'e  of  Gen,  Israel  Putnam,  together  with  some  remarks 
upon  a  few  clauses  in  it.  I  never  indeinl  had  the  pleasure  of 
perusing  the  whole  of  said  history,  but  remember  to  have  seen 
some  time  ago  an  extract  from  it  in  one  of  the  Boston  news- 
papers, in  which  the  colonel  has  extolled  the  beauty  and  good 
sense,  and  rare  accomplishments  of  Mrs.  Howe,  the  person 
whom  he  endeavors  to  paint  in  the  most  lively  and  engaging 
colors,  perhaps  a  little  too  highly,  and  in  a  style  that  may  ap- 
pear to  those  who  are  acquainted  with  her  to  this  day  romantic 
and  extravagant.  And  the  colonel  must  needs  have  been  mis- 
informed with  respect  to  some  particulars  that  he  has  men- 
tioned in  her  history.  Indeed,  when  I  read  the  extract  from 
his  history  to  Mrs.  Tute,  (which  name  she  has  derived  from  a 
third  husband,  whose  widow  she  now  remains,)  she  seemed  to 
be  well  pleased,  and  said  at  first  it  was  all  true,  but  soon  after 
contradicted  the  circumstance  of  her  lover's  being  so  bereft  of 
his  senses,  when  he  saw  her  moving  off  in  a  boat  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  shore,  as  to  plunge  mto  the  water  after  her,  in 
consequence  of  which  he  was  seen  no  more.     It  i"  true,  she 


CAPTIVITY   OF   FRANCES   NOBLE. 


165 


3t  me  in 

10  farther 

customs 

with  the 

IS,  which 

Dliised  to 

Ave   met 

1(1  was  so 

:arry  my 

have  not 
T  own  rc- 
ry  of  my 
lie  of  my 
ed  not  a 
hted,  and 
ret.  Col. 
3US  as  to 
md  three 
lis  from 
friendly 
vn  house, 


said,  that  as  she  was  reluming  from  ]\Iontreal  to  Alhany.  she 
met  with  younir  Sacrupec  on  the  way  ;  tliat  she  was  in  a 
hoat  with  Cohniel  Schuyler ;  that  the  French  ofhccr  came  on 
hoard  the  boat,  niatle  her  soino  handsome  presents,  tooU  his 
final  leave  of  her,  and  departed,  to  outward  appearance  in  tole- 
rable trood  humor. 

She  moreover  says,  that  when  she  went  to  Canada  for  her 
dauLdiler,  she  met  with  him  aL''ain,  tbal  he  showed  her  a  lock 
of  h.er  hair,  and  her  name  likewise,  printed  ^vith  vermillion  on 
his  arm.  As  to  her  luMHtr  chosen  ai'tMit  to  l!"o  to  I'liirope,  in 
behalf  of  the  people  of  lliii-^dale,  when  Colonel  Howard  ob- 
tained I'rom  the  L;ovenmient  f)f  Xew  York  a  jiateiu  ol  their 
lands  oil  the  west  >i(|i>  of  Connecticut  river,  it  was  never  once 
thought  of  by  Hinsdale  people  nnlil  the  aliove-menlioned  ex- 
tract arrived  amoMU'  tluMu,  in  which  llu'  auilior  has  inserted  it 
as  a  matter  of  undoubted  laci. 


NARRATIVE 


er  length 

referring 

B  captive 

History 

remarks 
(?asure  of 
lave  seen 
on  news- 
and  good 
e  person 
engaging 

may  ap- 

romantic 
)een  mis- 
las  men- 
■act  from 

d  from  a 
eemed  to 
;oon  after 

bereft  of 
some  dis- 

r   her,  in 

true,  she 


OF  THE  CAPTIVITY  OF  MIANCFS  NOHl.F,  WHO  WAS,  AMONG 
OTHERS,  TAKEN  BY  THE  INDIANS  ITIOM  SWAN  I.SLAND.  IN 
MAINE,  ABOUT  THE  YEAR  17.35;  COMPILED  BY  JOHN  KELLY, 
ESa.  OF  CONCORD,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE,  FROM  THE  MINUTES 
AND  MEMORANDA  OF  PHINEHAS  IMERRILI.  E.-su.  OF  STRAT- 
HAM,  IN  THE  SAME  STATE;  AND  BY  THE  FORMER  (GEN- 
TLEMAN COMMUNICATED  FOR  PUBLICATION  TO  THE  EDI- 
TORS OF  THE  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS  OF  NEW  HAMP- 
SHIRE. 

James  Whidden,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs,  Shute, 
was  a  captain  in  the  army  at  the  taking  of  Cape  Breton  in 
174o.  He  owned  a  tract  of  land  on  Swan  Isla  ul,  in  the  river 
Kennebec,  where  he  lived  with  his  family.  One  of  his  daugh- 
ters married  Lazarus  Noble,  of  Portsmouth,  who  lived  on  the 
island  with  h(>r  father.  The  Indians  had  l)een  accustomed  to 
visit  Capt.  Whidden  for  the  purposes  of  trade.  There  was  a 
garrison  on  the  island  to  secure  the  inhabitants  from  the  attacks 
of  the  enemy  in  time  of  war. 

One  morning,  a  little  after  daybreak,  two  boys  went  out  of 
the  garrison  and  left  the  gate  open.  The  Indians  were  on  the 
watch,  and  availing  themselves  of  the  opportunity,  about  ninety 
entered  the  garrison.     The  iidiabitants  immediately  discovered 


\  \ 


If 


166 


CAPTIVITY  OF  FRANCES  NOBLE. 


that  the  enemy  was  upon  them  ;  but  there  was  no  escape. 
Caplfiin  Whiddeii  and  his  \vir<>  retreated  to  the  cellar,  and  con- 
cealed tliciiisclves.  Nohle  and  lii>  iiired  man  met  the  Indians 
at  the  head  of  the  stairs,  and  fired  upon  iheni,  wou'idiiiL'^  one 
of  them  in  the  arm.  The  Indians  ilid  not  return  the  tire.  l»ui 
took  Nohh',  jiis  wife,  and  seven  childnMi,  with  Timothy  AVhid- 
den  and  iMary  Holnu^s,  prisoners.  The  hired  man  and  the 
two  boys  escaped.  The  cai)tives  were  carried  to  tlu^  water\s 
side  and  bound  ;  exce])linfT  such  as  could  not  run  away.  The 
Indians  then  returned  to  the  i2arrisoii,  burnt  the  barn  and  phm- 
dered  the  house,  cut  open  tbi!  feather  beds,  strewed  the  leath- 
ers in  the  lield,  and  carried  oil"  all  the  silver  aiul  ifold  they 
could  fmd,  and  as  uundi  of  the  provisions  as  they  chf*se.  It 
was  supposed  they  omitted  to  burn  the  house  from  the  suspi- 
cion that  the  captain  and  his  ^vife,  from  whom  they  had,  in 
limes  of  petice,  received  )nany  favors,  were  concealed  in  it. 
Capt.  Whidden,  after  the  destruction  of  bis  property  on  the 
island,  returncMl  to  Greenland,  in  this  state,  wliich  is  supposed 
to  have  been  his  native  place,  and  theri^  died. 

The  Indians  also  tf)olc  in  a  wood  on  the  island  an  old  man 
by  the  name  of  Pomeroy,  who  was  employed  in  makintr  sliin- 
Cfles.  Having  collected  their  captives  and  plunder,  they  imme- 
diately left  the  island,  and  commenc(>d  their  return  to  Canada  to 
dispose  of  their  prey.  Pomeroy  was  old  and  feeble,  and  unable 
to  endure  the  fatigue  of  the  march,  witlnuU  more  assistance  than 
the  savages  thought  fit  to  render  him,  and  they  killed  him  on 
the  journey.  They  were  more  attentive  to  the  children,  as  for 
them  they  undoubtedly  expected  a  higher  price  or  a  greater 
ransom.  Abit,^ail,  one  of  the  children,  died  ainngthe  Indian.s. 
The  other  captives  arrived  safe  in  Canada,  and  were  variously 
disposed  of.  Mr.  Noble  was  sold  to  a  baker  in  Quebec,  and 
his  wife  to  a  lady  of  the  same  place  as  a  chambermaid.  They 
were  allowed  to  visit  each  otlu^r  aiul  to  sleep  together.  Four 
of  the  children  were  also  sold  in  Ciucbec,  as  were  Timothy 
Whidden  and  Mary  Ilolmc^s.  The  captives  in  that  city  were 
exchanged  within  a  yeai,  and  returned  to  their  homes.  Mr. 
Whidden   and  Miss   Holmes  were   afterwards   united   in   mar- 


riage. 


Fanny  Nonr>E,  the  principal  subject  of  this  memoir,  at  the 
time  of  h.T  cajitivity,  was  al)()Ui  thirteen  months  old.  She 
was  carried  by  a  parly  of  Iiulians  to  Montreal.  In  their  at- 
tempts to  dispose  of  her,  they  took  her  one  day  to  the  liouse 
of  Monsieur  Louis  St.  Auge  Charlee,  an  eminent  merchant  of 
that  place,  who  was  at  that  time  oji  a  journey  to  Quebec.  His 
lady  was  called  into  the  kitchen  by  one  of  her  maids  to  see  a 


CAPTIVITY  OF  FUAXCKS  NOBLE. 


167 


»  escape. 
iiiid  con- 
'  Iiidiiiiis 
liiiipj  one 

liro,  bat 
ly  Wliid- 

and  the 
e  waler'is 
ly.  'J'he 
uid  plun- 
\\v  Iralh- 
!()ld  iliey 
hose.  It 
lIic  siispi- 
■y  had,  in 
led  ill  it. 
y  Oil  the 
supposed 

1  old  man 
diiir  shiu- 
ley  imme- 
Canada  to 
nd  unable 
lance  than 
d  liirn  on 
ren,  as  for 
a  cTf^ater 
e  Indians, 
variously 
eljec,  and 
d.      They 
er.     Four 
Timothy 
city  were 
nes^     Mr. 
in   mar- 


nir,  at  the 
old.  She 
their  at- 
the  house 
erchant  of 
'bee.  His 
Is  to  see  a 


poor  infant  crawlintif  on  ihi>  tile  lloor  in  din  atid  rairs,  picking- 
apple  peelings  out  (d  the  cracks.  She  I'anie  in,  and  on  Ivindly 
noticiuir  the  child,  Fanny  inune(liaLt,dy  cau'jlu  ludd  of  the 
hidy's  oowii,  wrappeil  it  over  her  head,  and  lMir>t  into  tears. 
The  laily  could  not  easily  resist  this  appeal  to  her  compassion 
She  l()o!c  up  ilu'  child,  who  cluni,''  ahout  her  n<fk  and  repeat- 
edly embract-d  her.  The  Indians  oHeretl  to  sell  her  their  little 
captive,  but  she  declined  buyinir,  not  choosinij'  prn'nably  in  the 
aljseiice  of  her  husliand  to  venture  on  such  a  j)urcliase.  Tlie 
Indians  lel'i  the  house,  and  slept  that  nii'dil  on  the  pavements 
bf^fore  the  dour.  Fanny,  wiio  had  airain  heard  the  voice  of 
kindness,  to  which  .  he  had  no'  been  ai'custonicd  from  her  sav- 
age masters,  could  not  be  (pii''t,  but  disiurbed  the  slund)ers  and 
touched  the  heart  of  the  French  lady  by  her  incessant  cries. 
This  lady  had  then  lately  lost  a  child  by  death,  aiul  was  per- 
liaps  more  (juick  to  feel  for  the  suHerinp-s  of  children,  and 
more  disposed  to  lovt  'diem,  than  she  woukl  otherwise  have 
been.  Early  the  next  mornini^  the  Indians  were  called  into 
the  house;  Faimy  was  purchased,  put  into  a  tub  ol'  water,  and 
having  been  thoroughly  washed,  was  dressed  in  the  clothes  of 
the  deceased  child,  and  put  to  bed.  She  awoke  smiling,  and 
seemed  desirous  of  repaying  her  mistress'  kindness  by  her  in- 
fantile prattle  aiul  fond  caresses.  Fanny  could  never  learn 
for  what  j)rice  she  was  bought  of  the  Indians,  as  her  French 
mother  c'"clined  answ;'rin<r  her  ([iu\stif)ns  up(ui  that  subjtTt, 
telling  her  to  be  a  good  girl,  and  be  thankful  that  she  was  not 
still  in  their  power. 

Mons.  and  J\Iad.  St.  Auge  took  a  lively  interest  in  their  little 
captiv(>,  and  treated  her  with  imich  tenderness  aiul  atlection. 
She  fo!t  for  them  a  lilial  attachment.  When  her  parents  were 
exchanged,  her  mother,  on  her  return  liome,  called  upon  Fanny, 
and  look  the  child  in  her  arms,  but  no  ii;>liiut  taught  her  to 
rejoice  in  the  maternal  embrace,  and  she  fled  for  protection  to 
her  Fremdi  mamma.  Mrs.  \oble  received  many  presents 
from  the  French  lady,  and  hail  the  satisfaction  to  see  that  her 
little  daughter  was  left  in  affectionate  hands. 

Fanny  was  tauuht  to  call  and  consider  Mons.  and  Mad.  St. 
Auge  as  her  parents.  They  had  her  baptized  by  the  name  of 
Eleanor,  and  educated  her  in  the  ixonian  Caiholic  religion. 
She  learned  her  Pater  Nosters  and  Ave  Marins,  went  to  mass, 
crossed  herself  with  holy  water,  and  told  her  beads  with  great 
devotion. 

When  four  or  five  years  old,  she  was  enticed  away  from  her 
French  parents  by  Wheelwright,  who  luul  been  employed  by 
the  government  of  Massachusetts  to  seek  for  captives  in  Can- 
ada.    He  carried  her  to  the  Three  Rivers,  where  he   had  sev- 


if 


i 


168 


CAPTIVITY  OF  FRANCES  NOBLE. 


eral  ntlirr  captive--,  mid  left  lior.  as  he  ])i'('t(ii(]f'il,  with  a  rola- 
tioti  of  her  Fri'iich  fatlnT's  (or  a  few  davs.  wlicii  .-lie  cNpecled 
to  return  in  Montreal.  But  .'-he  had  not  heeii  to  the  Three 
Kivers  nioro  than  tweutv-four  hours,  when  the  old  squaw 
who  had  sold  her  to  iMa(l.  St.  Auc^c  came  alonL-"  in  a  sUigfi, 
accompanied  by  a  younp-  sanop,  seizetl  upon  l'\inny.  and  car- 
ried her  to  St.  Francois,  wIk  -e  they  kept  her  aliout  a  lortnii^ht. 
She  had  now  attained  an  an;e  when  slie  would  he  .sensihie  of 
her  inisforiunes,  and  hitterly  himented  her  separation  from  her 
French  parents.  The  Indians  endeavored  to  pacify  and  please 
her  by  drawintr  on  her  coat  or  frock  the  figures  oi  deers,  wolves, 
bears,  fishes,  ice.  ;  and  once,  probably  to  make  her  look  as 
handsomely  as  themselves,  they  painted  her  che(d<s  in  the 
Indian  fashion,  which  very  much  distressed  her,  and  the  old 
squaw  made  them  wipe  off  the  paint.  At  one  time  she  got 
away  frgm  the  savages,  and  sought  refuge  in  the  best-look- 
ing house  in  the  village,  which  belonged  to  a  French  priest, 
who  kissed  her,  asked  her  many  ([uestions,  and  treated  her 
kindly,  but  gave  her  up  to  the  claim  of  her  Indian  masters. 
While  at  St,  Francois,  her  brother,  Joseph  Noble,  who  had 
not  been  sold  to  the  French,  but  still  lived  with  the  Indians, 
came  to  see  her,  but  she  had  a  great  aversion  to  him.  He  was 
in  his  Indian  dress,  and  she  would  not  believe  him  to  be  a  rela- 
tion, or  speak  to  him  if  she  could  avoid  it.  She  was  at  last 
turned  back  by  the  Indians  to  Montreal,  and  to  her  great  satis- 
faction was  delivered  to  her  F^rench  father,  who  rewarded  the 
Indians  for  returning  her.  It  was  doubtless  the  expectation  of 
much  reward  which  induced  the  old  s([uaw  to  seize  her  at  the 
Three  Rivers,  as  the  Indians  not  unfrecpiontly  stole  back  cap- 
tives, in  order  to  extort  ])rcsents  for  their  return  from  the 
French  ij:entlemen  to  whom  the  same  captives  had  before  been 
sold.  Before  this  time  she  had  been  hastily  carried  from  Mont- 
real, hurried  over  mountains  and  across  w'aters,  and  concealed 
among  (lags,  while  those  who  accom])anied  her  were  evidently 
■pursued,  and  in  gr(>at  apprehension  of  being  overtaken  ;  but 
the  occasion  of  this  (light  or  its  incidents  she  was  too  young  to 
understand  or  distinctly  to  remember,  and  she  was  unable  after- 
wards to  satisfy  herself  whether  her  French  father  conveyed 
her  away  to  keep  her  out  el"  the  reach  of  her  natural  friends, 
or  whether  she  was  taken  by  those  friends,  and  afterwards  re- 
taken as  at  the  Three  Rivers  and  returned  to  Montreal.  The 
French  parents  cautiously  avoided  informing  her  upon  this 
subject,  or  upon  any  other  which  should  remind  her  of  her  cap- 
tivity, her  country,  her  pariMits  or  her  iriends,  lest  she  should 
become  discontented  with  her  situation,  and  desirous  of  leav- 
ing those  who  had  adopted  her.     They  kept  her  secreted  from 


h  i\  rfla- 
cx  peeled 
('  Three 
il   sfiuavv 

ami  car- 
ortiiii^ht. 
iisible  of 
iVoin  her 
id  {)lease 
;,  wolves, 
look   as 
5    in    llie 
the   old 
■  she  got 
aest-look- 
•h    i)riest, 
■atod   her 
masters. 
who  had 
Indians, 
He  was 
he  a  rela- 
.s  at  last 
real  satis- 
iirded  the 
■tution  of 
ler  ai  the 
jack  cap- 
rom    the 
'ore  been 
m  ^lont- 
oncealcd 
evidently 
en  ;   bnt 
vounfT  to 
lileafter- 
ouveyed 
friends, 
^vards  re- 
.     The 
ipon  this 
her  cap- 
2    shonld 
;  of  leav- 
;ted  from 


CAPTIVITY  OF  FRANCES  NOBLE. 


109 


htM'  natnral  friends,  who  w(^r(^  in  search  ot  Ix-r,  and  evaded 
every  question  which  iniirht  had  \n  her  disi-overy.  One  day. 
when  Mens.  St.  An<]fe  and  most  of  his  family  were  at  mass, 
she  was  sent  with  another  eaj>ti\e  to  the  third  storv  of  the 
house,  and  the  dome<tics  v.'ere  re(iiiired  strifily  to  watch  the-n 
as  it  was  known  that  some  of  her  relations  were  then  in  the 
phiee  endeavorin<T  to  tind  li'-r.  ()f  this  circtiin-tanc(^  she  was 
if^norant,  hut  she  was  disj)leased  with  her  continement.  and 
with  her  litllf^  companion  found  means  to  escape  from  their 
room  and  went  bcdow.  While  raisim,'-  a  rnp  of  water  to  her 
month,  she  .saw  a  man  looking  ill  her  ihrouL'h  the  window,  and 
stretchin<T  out  his  arm  towards  her,  at  the  same  time  speakinfj 
a  laii'T'uaq'e  which  she  could  not  nnd(>rstand.  She  was  very 
much  alarmed,  threw  down  her  water,  and  ran  with  all  [)ossi- 
ble  speed  to  her  room.  Little  did  she  snppo.se  that  it  was  her 
own  father,  from  whom  she  was  flying  in  sutdi  fear  and  horror. 
He  had  returned  to  Canada  to  seek  those  of  liis  children  who 
remaitied  there.  He  could  hear  nothing'  of  his  Faimy  ;  but 
watchintif  the  house,  he  perceived  her,  as  was  just  stated,  arid 
joyfully  sfotching  his  arms  towards  her,  exclaimed,  "  There's 
my  dauijrhtcr  !  O!  that 's  my  daughter !  "  But  she  retreated, 
and  he  could  not  gain  admittance,  for  the  house  was  guarded 
and  no  stranger  permitted  to  ent'  r.  How  long  he  continued 
hovering-  about  her  is  now  unknown,  but  he  left  Canada  with- 
out embracing  her  or  seeing  her  again. 

Her  French  parents  put  her  to  a  boarding  school  attached  to 
a  nunnery  in  Montreal,  where  she  remained  several  years,  and 
was  taught  all  branches  of  needle-work,  with  Geography, 
)nusic,  painting,  &cc.  In  the  same  school  were  two  Mioses 
Johnsons,  who  were  ca[)tured  at  Charlestown,  (\o.  4)  in  17f'34, 
and  t\vo  Misses  l'liipj)s,  the  daughters  of  ^Irs.  Howe,  who 
were  taken  at  Hinsdale  in  17oo.  Fatmy  was  in  sclnxd  when 
Mrs.  Howe  came  for  her  daughters,  and  long  remembered  the 
grief  and  lamentations  of  the  young  captives  when  obliged 
to  leave  their  school  and  mates  to  return  to  a  strange,  though 
their  native  country,  and  to  relatives  whom  they  had  long  for- 
gotten. 

While  at  school  at  Montreal,  her  brother  Joseph  again  vis- 
ited her.  He  still  belono'ed  to  the  St.  Francois  tribe  of  Indians, 
and  was  dressed  remarkably  hue,  havine-  forty  or  fifty  broaches 
in  his  shirt,  clasps  on  his  arm,  and  a  great  variety  of  knots  and 
bells  about  his  clothing.  He  brought  his  little  sister  Ellen,  as 
she  was  then  called,  and  who  was  then  not  far  from  seven 
years  old,  a  yonnii:  fawn,  a  basket  of  cranberries,  and  a  lump 
of  sap  sugar.  The  little  girl  was  much  pleased  with  the  fawn, 
and  had  no  great  aversion  to   cranberries   and   sugar,  but  she 

15 


i< 


krvM 


^,^^:.-^^n 


<  1 


170 


CAPTIVn  \"  OF  FRANCES  NOPLE. 


wiis  irmcli  friL''lit(MH'(l  liy  the  ;i|)p(';iriincc  of  .Tnsfpli.  ;iiiil  would 
rof^rive  iiothiiiii"  fVtMii  his  hiiiids  till,  at  tlif  .-iiu'-cfolion  of  lier 
friend'-,  lie  liad  wa.-licd  the  paint  iVoni  his  (ace  and  niado  i-onio 
alteration  in  his  dress  when  she  ventured  to  aceept  iiis  olier- 
iiurs,  and  iniiiiedial(dy  ran  Croin  his  preseneo.  'Vhn  next  day, 
Josepli  returiied  with  lh(^  Indians  to  St.  Franeois.  Imt  somo 
time  afterwards  .Mons.  St.  Auufe  purehased  him  of  the  sava- 
p-es,  and  dressed  hini  in  the  Fretirh  style;  1iut  he  never  ap- 
peared so  hold  ruul  majestic,  so  spirited  and  vivacious,  as  when 
arrayed  in  !iis  Indian  hahit  and  associatincf  with  his  Indian 
frieruis.  He  however  hecamc  much  attached  to  St.  Au£jc,  who 
put  hiie  to  s  diool  ;  and  when  his  sister  parted  with  liim  upon 
le  "ing  Canada,  he  f^avc  her  a  strict  charge  not  to  let  it  be 
k-.i:  V  a  •, 'k  re  he  was,  le^t  he  too  should  l)e  oblioed  to  leave 
hii-  ^  'lend:   and  return  to  (he  place  of  his  birtli. 

When  be'  •  en  eleven  and  twelve  years  of  ace,  Fanny  was 
sent  to  the  school  of  Ursidine  nuns  in  Qu(.'hec,to  complete  her 
education.  Here  the  discipline  was  much  more  strict  and  sol- 
emn than  in  the  scdiool  at  Montreal,  in  both  places  the  teach- 
ers were  called  half  ninis,  who,  not  beincf  professed,  were  allow- 
ed to  po  in  and  out  at  plea.sure  ;  but  at  Quebec  the  pupils  were 
in  a  f^reat  measure  secluded  from  the  world,  Ix'inu'  ])ermitted 
to  walk  only  in  a  small  c^arden  by  day,  and  confnied  by  bolts 
and  bars  in  their  cells  at  night.  This  restraint  was  irksome  to 
Fanny.  She  grew  discontented  ;  and  at  the  close  of  the  year 
was  permitted  to  return  to  her  French  })arents  at  IMontreal,  tmd 
again  enter  the  school  in  that  city. 

While  Farniy  was  in  the  nunnery,  being  then  in  h(T  four- 
teenth year,  she  was  one  day  ecpially  surprised  and  alarmed 
by  the  eiUrance  of  a  stranger,  who  demanded  her  of  tli"  nuns 
as  a  redeemed  captive.  Her  father  had  employed  this  man. 
Arnold,  to  seek  out  his  daughter  and  obtain  her  from  tln^ 
French,  who  had  hitherto  succeeded  in  detaining  her.  Arnold 
was  well  calculated  for  this  employment.  He  was  secret,  sub- 
tle, resolute  and  persevermg.  He  had  been  some  time  in  the 
city  without  exciting  a  suspicion  of  liis  business.  He  had 
ascertained  where  the  captive  was  to  be  found — he  bad  pro- 
cured the  necessary  powers  to  secure  her,  and  in  his  approach 
to  the  nunnery  was  accompanied  by  a  sergeant  and  a  tile  of 
men.  The  nuns  were  unwilling  to  deliver  up  their  pupil,  and 
required  to  know  by  what  right  he  demanckul  her.  Arnold 
convinced  them  that  his  authority  was  derived  from  the  gov- 
ernor, and  they  durst  not  disobey.  'J'hey,  however,  ])rolonged 
the  time  as  nuich  as  possible,  and  sent  word  to  Mons.  St.  Auge, 
hoping  that  he  would  be  able  in  some  way  or  other  to  detain 
his  adopted  daughter.     Arnold  however  was  not  to  be  delayed 


CAPTIVITV    OF    FRANCES    NOBLE 


171 


I  would 

of  her 
lo  sonic 
s  ollor- 
xt  (lay, 
il  soirip 
0  sava- 
vor  ap- 
is whon 

Indian 

xoQ,  who 

im  upon 

hi  it   be 

to  leave 

nny  was 
plete  her 

and  sol- 
\v  teach- 
rc  allow- 
|)ils  were 
icrniitted 

hy  bolts 
ksonie  to 

the  year 
ireal,  and 

u^r  four- 
nl  armed 
th"  nuns 
\\:-  man. 
r<tin    tho 

Arnold 
■ret,  snb- 
nc  in  the 
lie  had 
had  pro- 
ajtltroach 
I  tile  of 
ujiil,  and 

Arnold 
the  gov- 
)r(»lonfred 
St.  Auge, 
to  detain 
!  delayed 


ifled  with.     H( 


dv  d( 


(led  th( 


bv  thf 


or  trilled  with.     He  sternly  demandecl  the  captive  by  the  name 
of  Noble   in  the    governor's   name,  and    the   luins  were    awed 
into  submission.      FMiiriy,  weeping  and   tremblintr,  was  deliv- 
ered  up   by  those  who  wept    and   treml»led   too.      She   accom- 
panied  Arnold   to    tiie  gate    of  the   lunnierv.   but   the   idcii   of 
leaving  forever  those  whom  she   loved  and  gointr  with  a  com 
pany  of  armed  men  slu'  Icnew  not  whither,  was  too  overwliehn- 
in'_r.  nnd  >he  sutdv  ujioii  the  trround.      Her  cries  iind   lamenta- 
tions drew  the   peoj)le  around  luu',  and   >he  exclaimed  biit"rly 
against  the  crufdty  of  forcinir  her  away,  declaring  thnt  she  could 
not  and  would  not  go  nny  further  as  a  prisoner  with  tlio-c  friL'ht- 
ful  soldiers.      At  this  time  ;ui  Knulish  ollicer  ;ippe;ired    in    the 
cr.wd  ;   he  reasoned  with  her,  soothed  her,  liiid   persuinled  her 
to  wallv  with  him,  assuring  her  the  guard  should  be  disnii-sed 
and   no   injurv   befall    her.      As    they   passed    bv   the    door  of 
Mons.  St.  Auire,  on  their  way  to  the  inn,  her   grief  and  excla- 
mations  were   renewed,  and  it  v.'as  w'    •   in'eat  ditliculty   that 
she  fould  be  persuaded  to  proceed.      B»;t  V     guard  had  merely 
fallen   bade,  and  were  too  near  to  pre    mt  ■■'-  i(>scue,  had  an  at- 
tempt been  nnide.    Capt.  M'Clure,  the  Enirlish  oflicer,  promised 
her  that  she  should  be  ))ermitte(l  to  visit  her  French   parents 
the   next   day.      She   found   tluMii    in  tr. u's,  but   they  could   not 
detain  her.     Mons.  St.  Auge   gav(    her  a  handful    of  money, 
and  embraced  her,  blessed  her,  anu  rushed   out  of  the   roonu 
His  lady  supplied  her  with  clothes,  and  their  partimr  was  most 
affectionate  and   atlecting.      She    lived   to    a   considerably    ad- 
vanced age,  })ut  she   could    never  speak  of  this  scene  without 
visible  and  deep  emotion. 

She  was  carried  down  the  river  to  Quebec,  where  she  tar- 
ried a  few  days,  and  then  sailed  with  Captain  Wilson  for  Hos- 
ton.  She  arrived  at  that  port  in  July,  oiie  month  before  she 
was  fourteen  years  of  aLjc.  She  was  joylully  rtH'eived  by 
Iter  friends,  but  her  fallnu"  did  not  long  survive  her  r(>turn. 
After  his  death  she  re>ide(l  in  the  family  of  Capt.  Wilson,  at 
Boston,  until  she  had  ac(juired  the  English  lantruage.  of  which 
before  she  was  almost  entirely  ignorant.  She  then  went  to 
Newbury,  atid  lived  in  the  himily  of  a  relative  of  her  father, 
where  she  found  a  home,  and  that  peace  to  which  she  had  long 
been  a  stranirer.  Her  education  had  fjualified  her  for  the 
instructi^m  of  youth,  and  she  partially  dev(tted  herself  to  that 
employment.  She  was  engaL^'ed  in  a  school  at  Hampton, 
where  she  formed  an  aci]uaintance  with  Mr.  Jonathan  Tilton, 
a  gentleman  of  good  propertv  in  Kensinirton,  whom  she  mar- 
ried about  the  year  I77(j.  He  died  in  179S.  In  1801,  she 
married  Mr.  John  Shute,  of  New-Market,  and  lived  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Newfields  in  that   town  till   her   death,  in    September, 


■  ii 


172 


CAPTAIN  CARVERS  XARRATIVE. 


1819.     She  wns  much  rpspcrtfil  and  rstoomofl  in  life,  and  her 
death  was,  as  hvr  life  had  been,  that  nl   a  Christian. 


If 


CAPTAIN    JON  A  T  H  A  N    C  A.  R  Y  E  ir  S 

NARRATIVF,  OF  lirs  CAPTURK,  AND  SUI5SF.arENT  ESCAPE 
FROM  THE  INDIANS,  AT  THE  P.T.UODV  MASSACRE  COMMIT- 
TED IJY  TIIEM,  WHEN  FORI'  WILLIAM  IIENRV  FELL  L\TO 
TEIE  HANDS  OF  THE  FRENCH,  UNDER  GEN.  MONTCALM,  IN 
THE  YEAR  1757.     WRITTEN  RV  HIMSELF. 


P 


Gen.  Wf.bb,  who  comnaarulcd  tho  English  army  in  North 
America,  wliich  was  then  encamped  at  fort  Edward,  having 
intelligence  that  the  French  troops  under  Alonsieur  Montcalm 
were  making  some  movemeiits  towards  fort  William  Henry,  he 
detached  a  corps  of  about  fifteen  hundred  lu'  ..  consisting  of 
English  and  piovincials,  to  strengthen  the  ;  irrison.  In  this 
party  I  went  as  a  volunteer  among  the  latter 

The  apprehensions  of  the  En'jlish  general  were  not  without 
foundation  ;  for  the  day  after  our  arrival  we  saw  lake  Ceoro-c, 
(formerly  lake  Sacrament)  to  which  it  lies  contiguous,  covered 
with  an  immense  number  of  boats  ;  and  in  a  few  hours  we 
found  our  lines  attacked  by  the  French  general,  wlio  had  just 
landed  with  eleven  thousand  reirulars  and  Canadituis,  and  two 
thousand  Indians.  C(donel  Monro,  a  brave  officer,  commanded 
in  the  fort,  and  had  no  more  than  two  thousand  three  liundred 
nien  with  him,  our  detachment  included. 


CAPTAIN   r.MlVnU'S    NAIinATIVK. 


173 


and  her 


EsrvpE 
'()\nnT- 

I,L  I.\TO 
'ALM,  IN 


n  North 
,  having 
loiitcalm 
[cnry.  ho 
istinn-  of 
In   this 

t  without 
George, 
,  covered 
lonrs  we 
had  just 
and  two 
unanded 
hundred 


With  those  he  mkuIp  m  giillani  defence,  and  prehahly  wouM 
have  lieoji  jil»|e  at  l,i<t  to  preserve  the  fort,  had  he  heeii  properly 
supported,  and  perrnitifd  to  continue  hi>^  f'H'orts.  ( )j)  every 
suniiMons  In  surrender  .ent  hy  the  l-'rench  L'cn<ral.  who  nlli-reil 
the  most  hon(»rahle  feruis,  his  answer  repeaierlly  wa>«,  that  he 
yet  found  himself  in  a  condition  to  rep<'i  tiie  most  viL'orons 
atta(d\s  hi>  hesie<jers  were  ahh-  to  make;  and  if  he  ihonirht  his 
present  force  in>n(iicif'nt.  he  c(»uM  soon  he  suj))>lie(|  with  a 
greater  nmnher  fntm  the  aiijacent  army. 

lint  till-  colonel  havini;-  ac(pniint(>d  (leneral  VVehh  with  his 
situation,  and  desired  he  would  s<Mid  him  some  fresh  troojis, 
the  general  dispatched  a  ntessenufor  to  him  with  a  letter,  where- 
in he  informed  him  that  it  was  not  in  his  power  to  assist  him, 
and  therefore;  y-ave  him  orders  to  surrender  up  the  fort  on  the 
hest  terms  ho  could  pro<'ure.  This  packet  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  French  general,  who  immediately  sent  a  fla'j  of  truce, 
desiring  a  ccmference  with  the  irovernor. 

They  accordinuly  met,  attended  only  hy  a  snaall  gmird,  in 
the  centre  hetwcen  tlie  lines;  when  Monsieur  Montcalm  told 
the  rolonel,  that  he  was  come  in  person  to  demand  possession 
of  the  fort,  as  i»  Indotiged  tf»  the  king  his  master.  The  colonel 
replied,  that  he  knew  not  how  that  cojild  he,  nor  should  he 
surrender  it  uj)  whilst  it  was  in  his  power  to  defend  it. 

The  French  general  rejoined  at  the  same  time  delivering 
the  packet  into  the  colonel's  hand,  "  By  this  authority  do  I 
make  the  requisition."  The  hrave  governor  liad  no  sooner 
read  the  contents  of  it,  and  was  convinced  that  such  were  the 
orders  of  the  commander-in-chief,  and  not  to  he  disoheyed, 
than  he  hunc;-  his  head  in  silence,  and  reluctantly  entered  into 
a  negotiation. 

In  consideration  of  the  gallant  defence  the  garrison  had  made, 
they  were  to  he  permitted  to  mandi  out  witli  all  the  honors  of 
war,  to  he  allowed  covered  waLTons  to  transport  their  han-'jfage 
to  fort  E  I  ward,  and  a  guard  to  protect  them  from  the  iury  of 
the  savages. 

The  morning  after  tiie  capitulation  was  sicrnefl.  as  soon  as 
day  hroke,  the  whole  garrison,  now  consisting  of  ahout  two 
thousand  men,  hesides  women  and  children,  were  drawn  up 
within  the  lines,  and  on  the  point  of  marching  olf,  when  great 
numlx'rs  of  the  Imlians  trathered  ahout.  arid  hegan  te  plunder. 
We  were  at  first  in  hopes  that  this  was  tiieir  only  view,  and 
sufTered  ttiem  to  proceed  without  opposition.  Indeefl  it  was 
not  in  our  |>ower  to  make  any,  had  we  heen  so  inclined  ;  for 
though  we  were  permitted  to  carry  ofT  our  arms,  yet  \\r  were 
not  allowed  a  single  round  of  ammunition.  In  these  hopes 
however  we  were  disappointed  ;  for  presently  some  of  them 
\5* 


I'fl 


} 


174 


CAPTAIN   fyVUVKirS   NARRATIVE 


Mil 


bcirnn  to  nttiick  llm  sick  and  Wdinxlcil,  wlwn  such  ns  worn  not 
al)l<'  In  criiwl  into  ilic  liinlis.  iiotwiilistJindint,'  they  "'ndcnvonMl 
to  Jivcri  tlu'  lury  of  ilnir  ciHMnir.s  Ky  tlx'ir  -liricks  or  LToans, 
were  soo.l  (lis]);ttcll<'d. 

Hen;  w'c  were  I'lilly  in  oxppciiition  that  tho  disinrhjiiico  wouhl 
hfivf  conchi(h'd  ;  ixnd  our  liiilf  iirniy  hciraii  to  move:  hut  in  a 
short  time  we  saw  tho  front  division  driven  hack,  and  discfiv- 
ered  ihal  wo  worr"  entirely  encirch'd  hy  ihr-  viiva'jes.  Wo 
exiK'cied  every  moment  that  the  j.Miard,  ^wfiicli  the  l''r< nch,  hy 
the  articles  (»f  capitnhitioii,  had  acfreed  to  allow  n>,  v/onid  liavo 
arrivcMl,  and  pnt  an  end  to  onr  appr<du'nsions  ;  hut  none  ap- 
peared. The  Indians  now  heiran  to  strip  every  one  wilhoiil 
exc.epiion  of  their  arms  and  clothes,  and  those  who  m;ule  the 
least  resistance  I'elt  the  weii^ht  of  their  tomahawks, 

I  happened  to  be  in  the  rear  division,  hut  it  was  not  lonjr 
before  1  shared  the  fate  of  my  companions.  Thice  or  four  of 
the  savages  laid  hold  of  me,  and  whilst  some  held  their  wea- 
pons over  my  head,  the  others  soon  disrobed  me  oj  my  coat, 
waistcoat,  hat  and  buckles,  omittiiur  not  to  take  from  me  what 
money  I  had  in  my  pocket.  As  this  was  transacted  close  by 
the  passage  that  led  from  the  lines  on  to  the  plain,  near  which 
a  French  sentinel  was  posted,  I  ran  to  him  and  claimed  his 
protection;  but  he  only  called  iTie  an  English  dog,  and  thrust 
me  with  violence  back  again  into  the  midst  of  the  Indians. 

I  now  endeavored  to  join  a  ))ody  of  onr  troops  that  were 
crowded  together  at  some  distance;  hut  immmerahle  v.ere  the 
blows  that  were  made  at  me  with  ditlerent  wetipons  as  I  passed 
on;  luckily  however  the  savages  were  so  close  together  that 
they  could  not  strike  at  me  without  endangering  each  other. 
Notwithstanding  which  one  of  them  found  means  to  mak'e  a 
thrust  at  me  with  a  spear,  which  grazed  my  side,  and  from 
another  I  received  a  wound,  with  the  same  kind  of  weapon,  in 
my  ankle.  At  length  I  gained  the  spot  where  my  countrymen 
stood,  and  forced  myself  into  the  midst  of  them.  But  before 
1  got  thus  far  out  of  the  hantis  of  the  Indians,  the  collar  and 
wristbands  of  my  shirt  were  all  that  remained  of  it,  and  my 
flesh  was  scratched  and  torn  in  tnany  places  by  their  savage 
gripes. 

By  this  time  the  war-whoop  was  given,  and  the  'ndians 
began  to  murder  those  that  were  nearest  to  them  without  dis- 
tinction. It  is  not  in  the  power  of  words  to  give  any  tolerable 
idea  of  the  horrid  scene  that  now  ensued ;  men,  women,  and 
children  were  dispatched  in  the  most  wanton  and  cruel  man- 
ner, and  immediately  scalped.  Many  of  these  savages  drank 
the  blood  of  their  victims,  as  it  flowed  warm  from  the  fatal 
wound. 


c'APTAIN  CARVER'S   NARRATIVE. 


175 


rrc  not 

'■>  wfiiild 
[lilt  in  :i 

s.      \Vr 

licit,  I'V 
lid  liavc 
uiiic  np- 

willunit 
ladc  ihc 

not  \onrr 
p  four  of 
cir  woa- 
iiiy  roat, 
ine  what 
close  by 
ir  which 
imed  his 
id  thrust 
i;\ns. 
hat  were 
v.cro  the 
1  passed 
icr  that 
1  other, 
nalce  a 
id  from 
apon,  in 
itrymen 
I  before 
liar  and 
and  my 
savage 


u 


'ndians 
out  dis- 
olerable 
len,  and 
ud  man- 
l's  drank 
the  fatal 


We  now  prTCfivcd.  ihoML'"h  loo  late  to  avail  us,  tliat  wc  were 
to  expert  no  lelirf  fidiii  I  In-  French  ;  and  that,  contrjtry  '•>  the 
agreenii'iii  ili"'y  had  so  lat(dy  si'^iied  to  allow  us  a  sullici.'nt 
fort'(»  to  |trott'ct  us  from  thoc  in>ulis,  ilicy  tacitly  pmniurd 
iheui  ;  l»u'  I  could  |)laiiily  prrceivr  the  French  oljictrs  uallun<4 
nboiii  III  soiuf  distance,  discoursiuir  toq'ether  with  apparent 
unconcern.  For  the  honor  <d"  human  n.ainre  j  uniild  hope  that 
this  llauTant  breach  of  <'very  sacred  law  proceeded  ratli'r  from 
the  savau'e  di>p{»iiion  of  the  Indians,  whiidi  I  acKn(i\v|edi:e  it 
is  soiiietiiiies  almost  impossible  to  control,  and  which  inii^ht 
now  unexpectedly  have  arriviMJ  to  a  j)itcli  not  easily  to  be 
restrained,  than  to  any  premeditated  design  in  the  l''rench 
cominaiider.  An  unpre)udice(l  (»bserver  would,  however,  be 
apt  to  conclude,  that  a  body  of  ten  thoii>and  christian  troops, 
most  christian  troops,  had  it  in  their  power  to  prevent  the  mas- 
sacri!  from  bccomintj  so  general.  Hut  whatever  was  the  cause 
from  which  it  arose,  the  conseipiences  of  it  were  dreadful,  and 
not  t')  be  paralleled  in  modern  history. 

As  the  cir(de  in  which  I  stood  imdosed  by  this  time  was  nmch 
thiiUH'd,  aiul  death  seemed  to  be  approaching  with  hasty  strides, 
it  was  proposed  by  some  of  the  most  resolute;  to  make  one 
vic^oroiis  etibrt,  ami  endeavor  to  force  our  way  throujLjh  the 
savages,  the  only  probable  method  of  preserving  our  lives  that 
now  remained.  This,  however  desperate,  was  resolved  on, 
and  about  twenty  of  us  sprung  at  once  into  the  midst  of  them. 

In  a  nmment  we  were  all  separated,  and  what  was  the  fate 
of  my  companions  I  could  not  learn  till  some  months  after, 
when  I  found  that  only  six  or  seven  of  them  efTected  their 
design.  Intent  only  on  my  own  hazardous  situation,  I  endea- 
vored to  make  my  way  through  my  savage  enemies  in  the  best 
maimer  possible.  And  I  have  often  been  astonished  since, 
when  1  liave  recollected  with  what  composure  I  took,  as  I  did, 
every  necessary  step  for  my  preservation.  Some  I  overturned, 
being  at  that  time  young  and  athletic,  and  other;  I  passed  by, 
dexterously  avoiding  their  weapons  ;  till  at  last  two  very  stout 
chiefs,  of  the  most  savage  tribes,  as  I  could  distinguish  by  their 
dress,  whose  strength  I  could  not  resist,  laid  hold  of  me  by 
each  arm,  and  began  to  force  me  through  the  crowd. 

I  now  resifjned  myself  to  my  fate,  not  doubtincf  but  that  they 
intended  to  dispatch  me,  and  then  to  satiate  their  vengeance 
with  my  blood,  as  I  found  they  were  hurrying  me  towards  a 
retired  swamp  that  lay  at  some  distance.  But  before  we  had 
got  many  yards,  an  English  gentleman  of  some  distinction,  as 
I  could  discover  by  his  breeches,  the  only  covering  he  had  on, 
which  were  of  fine  scarlet  velvet,  rushed  close  by  us.  O'  of 
the  Indians  instantly  relinquished  his  hold,  and  springi       on 


176 


CAPTAIN   CARVER'S   NARRATIVE. 


i! 


I 


!  ri 


1 

¥ 

4. 


this  new  object,  endeavored  to  seize  him  ns  his  prey;  hut  the 
genthHTmn  beint^  Firoiu^,  tlirew  him  on  the  ltouikI,  and  \vf)uld 
prohahly  have  ii'oi  n.wav,  had  not  he  whe  held  my  other  arm 
(jiiiued  m<'  to  assist  his  l)roth<  r.  1  seized  \\w  opportunity,  and 
haslenrd  away  to  join  another  party  of  EnL'"lish  froojis  that 
were  yet  uid)roken,  and  stood  in  a  body  at  some  distance.  Kiit 
before  I  l:ad  taken  many  steps.  I  liaslily  ca-t  m\-  (>ye  towards 
the  gentleman,  and  saw  the  Indian's  tomahawk'  jjasli  into  his 
back,  and  heard  him  nUer  his  hist  u^roan.  This  a(hled  boih  to 
iny  speed  and  desperation. 

1  had  l<'ft  this  shockin*^  scene  but  a  few  yards,  when  a  fine 
boy  about  twelve  years  of  ai^e,  that  had  hitfierto  e.- raped,  came 
up  to  me,  and  beirt^ed  tht;t  i  would  let  him  lay  hold  of  me,  so 
that  he  mi<j;'iit  stand  some  chance  of  ,i,^ettini^  out  of  the  hands 
of  the  savai^es.  I  told  him  that  1  would  irive  him  evc^-y  assis- 
tance in  my  power,  and  to  this  purpose  bid  him  lay  hold  ;  but 
in  a  few  moments  he  was  torn  from  my  side,  and  by  his  shrieks 
1  judfj;e  was  soon  demi)lished.  I  could  not  help  for^.'-etting  my 
own  cares  for  a  minute,  to  lament  the  fate  of  so  younjj'  a  suf- 
ferer; but  it  was  utterly  impossible  for  me  to  take  any  methods 
to  prevent  it. 

1  now  ^ot  once  more  into  the  midst  of  friends,  but  we  were 
unable  to  ifTord  each  other  any  succor.  As  this  was  the  divi- 
sion that  had  advanced  the  furthest  from  the  fort,  I  thouirht 
there  mis'ht  be  a  possibility  (thoufjh  but  a  bare  one)  of  my 
forcing  my  way  throufrh  the  outer  ranks  of  the  Indians,  and 
getting  to  a  neighboring  wood,  which  I  perceived  at  some  dis- 
tance. I  was  still  encouraged  to  hope  by  the  almost  miraculous 
preservation  I  had  already  experienced. 

Nor  were  my  hopes  in  vain,  or  the  efforts  I  made  ineflectual. 
Suffice  to  say,  that  I  reached  the  wood  ;  but  by  the  time  I  had 
penetrated  a  little  way  into  it,  my  breath  was  so  exhausted 
that  I  throw  myself  into  a  break,  and  lay  for  some  minutes 
apparently  at  the  last  tasp.  At  length  I  recovered  the  power 
of  respiration  ;  but  my  apprehensions  returned  with  all  their 
former  force,  when  1  saw  several  savages  pass  by,  probably  in 
pursuit  of  me,  at  no  very  great  distance.  In  this  situation  I 
knew  not  .vhether  it  was  better  to  proceed,  or  endeavor  to  con- 
ceal myself  where  I  Jay  till  night  came  o)i ;  fearing,  however, 
that  they  would  return  the  same  way,  I  thought  it  most  prudent 
to  get  further  from  the  dread  ul  scene  of  my  distresses.  Ac- 
cordingly, striking  into  another  part  of  the  wood,  I  hastened 
on  as  fast  as  the  briers  and  the  loss  of  one  of  my  shoes  would 
permit  me  ;  and  after  a  slow  protrress  of  some  hours,  gained  a 
hill  that  overlooked  the  plain  which  1  had  just  left,  from  whence 


CAPTAIN    CARVER'S   NARRATIVE. 


177 


;  hilt  the 
rul  would 
ihcr  arm 
mity,  and 
-)ops  that 
ICC.  But 
•  towards 
1  into  his 
'd  boih  to 

ion  a  fine 
"xmI,  came 
of  mo,  so 
ho  hands 
pry  assis- 
lold  ;  i)nt 
^;  shrieks 
?tting  my 
inj,'  a  suf- 
'  methods 

we  were 
the  divi- 
I  thouirht 
o)  ot"  my 
lians,  and 
some  dis- 
liraculous 

leflectual. 
me  I  had 
exhausted 

minutes 
he  power 

all  their 
obably  in 
ituation  I 
or  to  con- 
however, 
>t  prudent 
ses.  Ac- 
hastened 
)es  would 

grained  a 
n  whence 


I  could  discern  that  the  bloody  storm  still  rauod  with  unabated 
fury. 

13\t  not  to  tiro  my  readers,  I  shall  only  add,  that  at'ier  pass- 
ing ihreo  days  without  subsistence,  and  endurinuf  the  severity 
of  the  cold  dews  for  three  niirhts,  I  at  len<,nh  reached  (ort  Ed- 
ward ;  whero  with  proper  care  my  body  soon  recovered  its 
v.'onled  strength,  and  my  mind,  as  far  as  the  r(>C(dlei"tion  of  the 
late  melancholy  events  would  permit,  its  usual  composure. 

It  was  computed  that  fifteen  Innulred  persons  W(>re  killed  or 
madi'  prisoiiiT.N  by  the>o  srivairos  diiriu'^'  this  fatal  day.  Many 
ot  tile  latter  were  earried  oil"  by  ihom  and  never  roiurned.  A 
few,  throuLrh  favorable  aecidcnts,  fDuml  their  way  baidi  to  ihoir 
native  iMiuntry,  after  having  experienced  a  long  ami  severe 
caj)tivily. 

The  brave  Col.  ^lonro  had  hastened  away,  soon  aft(^r  the 
confu>ion  bofjan,  to  the  French  camp,  to  endeavor  to  procure 
the  guard  aLrreed  by  the  stij)ul:uion  ;  but  his  application  prov- 
ing inet](}ctual,  he  remaineil  tlicre  till  General  Webl)  sent  a 
party  of  troojis  to  demand  and  protect  hiin  baidv  to  fort  Edward. 
b  ,.  these  unhappy  concurrences,  whi(di  would  probably  have 
be.ii  prevented  had  \h)  becMi  let"t  to  pursue  his  own  plans, 
together  with  the  loss  of  so  many  brave  fellows,  murdered  in 
cold  blood,  to  whose  vaior  he  had  ])ecn  so  lately  a  witness, 
made  such  an  impres;-ion  on  his  mind  that  he  did  not  long 
survive.  He  died  in  about  three  months  of  a  broken  heart,  and 
with  truth  might  it  be  said  that  he  was  au  honor  to  his  coun- 

I  mean  not  to  point  <'(it  the  following  circumstance  as  the 
immediate  judgment  ol  heaven,  and  intended  as  an  atonement 
for  this  slaughter;  but  I  cannot  omit  that  very  few  of  those 
different  tribes  of  Indians  that  shared  in  it  ever  lived  to  return 
home.  The  small-pox,  by  m(>ans  of  their  coinmunication  with 
tlie  Euro])eans,  found  its  way  anuuig  them,  and  made  an  e(pial 
havoc  to  what  they  tiiemselves  had  done.  The  methods  they 
pursued  on  the  first  attack  of  that  maliLniani  lisorder,  to  abate 
the  fever  attending  it,  rendered  it  fatal.  Whilst  their  blood 
was  in  a  state  of  fernientation,  and  nature  was  striving  to  throw 
out  the  peccant  matter,  they  checked  her  ojieratioi.s  by  plung- 
ing into  the  wattu- ;  the  conserpience  was  that  tlu'y  died  by 
hundreds.  The  few  that  survived  were  transformed  by  it  into 
hideous  objot'ts,  and  bori'  with  tluMu  to  the  grave  deep  indented 
marks  of  this  much  droiided  ;lis(>ase. 

Monsieur  .Montcalm  fell  soon  after  on  the  j)Iains  of  Quebec. 

That  the  unprovoked  cruelty  of  this  commander  ,vas  jiot 
approved  t>\'  by  the  geiu>rality  of  his  countrymen,  I  have  since 
be  .n  convinced  of  by  many  proofs.     One  only,  however,  which 


(.1 


I 


178 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


I  received  from  a  person  who  was  witness  to  it,  shall  I  at  pre- 
sent L'"iv(>.  A  Canadian  merchant,  of  some  consideration, 
having  heard  of  the  surrender  of  the  Entjlish  fort,  celebrated 
the  fortunate  event  with  ^n-eat  rejoicings  and  hospitality,  ac- 
cordinf;  to  the  custom  of  that  country  ;  hut  no  sooner  did  the 
news  of  the  massacre  which  ensued  reach  his  cars,  than  he 
put  an  iinmed.'.itf  stop  to  the  festivity,  and  exclaimed  in  the 
severest  terms  a^niinst  the  inhuman  permission  ;  declarintr  at 
the  same  time  that  those  who  had  cttnnived  at  it  had  therchy 
drawn  down  on  that  part  of  their  kinG;''s  dominions  the  ven- 
geance of  Heaven.  To  this  he  added,  that  ho  much  feared  the 
total  loss  of  them  would  deservedly  he  the  C()nse(picnce.  How 
truly  this  prediction  has  heen  verilied  we  well  know. 


A  \    A  C:  C  O  U  N  T 


OK  TfTR  uemaiuvAULl:  occurrhnces  in  the  life  a\d 

TRAVE[-S  OF  C()I,()M:T,  .IA:\IES  smith,  (LATE  A  CITI/.I'.X  OF 
BOl'RIUJN  COITNTV,  KENTUCKY.)  DCRIXG  HIS  CAPTIVITY 
WITH  THE  I.XDIAXS,  I\  THE  YEARS  17:.,-,,  '.mn  '57,  '.-)S,  AND  '59. 
Ill  whicli  tho  Customs,  Maiiiiprs,  Traditions,  Theological  Seiitirneiits,  Modo 
of  Wnrfari>,  Military  Tactics,  Disci|)liui'  and  Encampments,  Treatment  of 
Prisont^rs,  &c.  arelietter  explained,  and  more  minntciy  related,  than  iias  lieen 
heretofore  done  hy  any  antlior  on  tiiat  snlijcct.  Toijether  with  a  descrij.ion 
of  the  Soil,  Tiinher  and  Waters,  where  he  travelled  with  the  Indians  durina; 
his  captivity. — To  which  is  added  a  hrief  account  of  some  very  uncommon 
occurrences  which  transpired  after  his  return  from  captivity ;  as  well  as  of 
the  ditferent  cam])aii,nis  ciirried  on  a!:,^^inst  the  Indians  to  the  westward  of 
fort  Pitt,  since  the  year  1755,  to  the  present  date,  1799.— Written  by  liimself. 


WK 


Pkefaci^ — I  was  stronnlv  nr^red  to  piddish  the  followliur 
work'  immediately  after  my  return  from  captivity,  whit-h  was 
nearly  forty  years  a^-o  ;  hot.  as  at  that  time  the  Americans 
were  so  little  acqnaitited  with  Indian  aflairs,  I  apprehended  a 
great  part  of  it  would  h(>  viewed  as  fahle  or  romance. 

As  tl'ie  Imliai's  never  attempted  to  prevent  me  either  frotn 
readintr  or  writiuL'",  I  kept  a  journal,  which  I  revised  shortly 
after  tnv  return  from  captivity,  ttnd  which  I  have  Icept  ever 
since;  and  as  I  havc^  had  hut  a  moderate  Emdish  education, 
have  been  ad\ispd  to  employ  some  person  of  liberal  education 
to  transcribe  and  endiellish  it — but  bejievino-  that  nature  always 
outshines  art,  iiave  thoug-ht,  that  occurrences  truly  and  plainly 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   CArTIVITY 


179 


at  pre- 
eralion, 
ebrated 
lily,  ac- 
di(l  the 
ban  he 
1  ill  the 
ii-in!]f  at 
ihcTchy 
lie  V(M1- 
ireil  the 
.     How 


FE   AND 

izi:x  OK 

[•TIVITV 
AND  '59. 
Ills,  Modo 
iitmoiit  of 
1  iias  liocu 
U'scrij.iiou 
ans  iliiriiic; 
.iiu'oiinnoii 
well  iis  of 
St  ward  of 
ly  hiinstdf. 

ollnwill"' 
1  it'll  was 
uorioatis 
uMidcd  a 

ler  from 
shortly 
('[It  over 
ucation, 
(liu'atioii 
(•  always 

plainly 


stau'tl.  as  thf  y  happonoil,  would   make  tlio  host  hi>tory,  bo  bet- 
tor understood,  and  most  cnlcrtainiiiu'". 

In  ih"  difll'r'Mii  Indian  speech"-^  ((iitied  into  this  work,  I  bare 
not  only  iniiiatod  tboir  own  style,  ur  lutKle  or>i)eakinL:.  bni  have 
also  preserved  the  ideas  meant  to  be  conununicatcd  in  those 
speeches,  hi  conimon  ('(Uivcrsation  I  hav(>  \i>r>\  niy  own  style, 
bnt  preserved  thoif  ideas.  The  principal  advantau"o  that  I 
expect  will  result  to  the  j)ublic,  from  the  publication  of  tlie  fol- 
lowini^  sheets,  is  the  obarr  vat  ions  on  (he  Indian  inoilr  of  n-arfarc. 
E.vjierience  has  tauijht  ttn'  Americans  ihe  necessity  of  adopting 
tlndr  mode  ;  and  the  more  perfect  we  are  in  that  mode,  the 
better  we  shall  be  able  to  defend  ourstdvcs  airainsl  them,  when 
defence  is  necessary. 

JAMES  SMITH. 

Bonrbou  County,  Ju?ie  1st,  1799. 


iNTRonrcTinN. — IMfire  than  thirtj"  years  hnvp  clnpscd  sinrc  tlm  jniblica- 
tioii  of  Col.  Smith's  journal.  The  only  filitKni  ever  ])icscntcd  to  the  |)ub- 
lic  was  printed  in  Le.\ini(ton.  Kentucky,  by  John  Bradford,  in  17'.''.'.  That 
edition  l)ein>:  in  uninjihlpt  (nrin,  it  is  presumed  Ih.it  tiiere  is  n"t  n.»\v  a 
dozen  eiitu'e  eo|)ies  remaininir-  A  new  lieiierttioii  has  sprini;;  ap-  audit  is 
believed  the  time  has  now  arrived,  when  a  s»  'Hid  eduion,  in  a  more  dura- 
ble form,  will  be  well  received  by  the  |niblic.  The  charaeter  of  Colonel 
Smith  is  well  known  in  the  western  country,  especially  amontjsl  the  vete- 
ran pioneers  of  Kentiii-ky  and  Tennessee.  Ifc  was  a  patriot  in  the  su  ietesl 
sense  of  the  word.  His  whole  life  was  devotetl  to  the  servK'e  of  his  coun- 
try. Raised,  as  it  were,  in  the  wilderness,  he  received  but  n  limited  edu- 
cation ;  yet  nature  had  endowed  him  with  a  vitroroiis  constitution,  and  a 
strong  ami  sensible  mind  ;  and  whether  in  the  camp  or  the  lrill>  ot' legis- 
lation, he  <j;avi'  ample  proof's  of  being,  by  practice  as  well  as  profession,  a 
soldier  and  a  siatesimoi. 

Durinu'  the  war  ni  1^1  I  and  1'..*.  i  ejnu'  tin  n  lno  uj.l  tn  be  serviceable  in 
the  fie'id,  he  iiiatle  a  lender  of  h's  e.Kpcrieiico.  ;ind  |iublished  a  iieatise  on 
the  Indian  mode  ot'  warfare,  with  wIik  h  >ad  e.xper'encc  had  made  lum  so 
v.'ell  acipiainted.  He  dit'd  shortly  alterward^.  ;it  the  hmisc  m|'  a  luuther- 
in-l'iw,  ill  Washiimidii  couiiiy,  Iv'tilucky.  He  wa^  e>ieemed  bv  all  who 
knew  him  as  an  e.>cemplary  Christi  in,  and  a  consistent  and  unwavering 
pai.iot. 

By  his  first  marriaiie,  he  had  several  children  ;  ainl  two  of  his  sotis, 
William  and  .lames,  it  is  believed,  are  now  livinu;.  The  name  of  his  fwst 
wil'e  is  not  recollected. 

in  the  year  17^.").  lie  intermarried  with  .Mr^.  Mar/arci  Irvin,  the  widow 
of  Mr.  Abraham  Irvin.  Mrs.  Irvm  was  a  lady  <if  a  highly  cultivated 
mind;  and  had  she  lived  in  more  auspicious  times,  and  possessed  the 
advaniaires  of  many  of  her  se.x,  she  would  li;>ve  made  no  ordinary  fiii^ure 
as  a  writer,  both  in  prnse  and  verse.  And  it  may  imt  be  iii.iiiicresiiiii;  lu 
the  friends  of  Col.  Smith  to  a'lvv  a  short  sketidi  of  her  lili'.  Her  maiden 
name  was  RotU>ers.  She  was  born  in  the  year  171 1,  in  Hanover  cdunty, 
Vifi-'inia.  .  Slu.'  was  of  a  respectable  family;  her  father  ami  the  liev.  Dr. 
Rod;j;ers.  of  New  York,  we-'e  brothers'  children.  Her  mother  wa  .  sister 
to  the  Rev.  James  Caldwell,  uho  wa.s  killed  by  the  British  and  tines  at 
Elizabeth  Point,  Xew  Jersey.     Her  father  removed,  when  she  was  a  child, 


>.  1 


180 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTTVITy. 


to  \vl)nt  wnsthni  rnllcd  LntiPnhnr:^,  now  Chnrlou-' roi'itv.  Vi'^^iii^-  She 
nrviT  uciit  lu  -  •iiMdl  lull  ihicc  uKuitlis.  and  ihul  nt  M.o  iif  oi  li'.L-  vars. 
,\!  'Ill'  rxjiiiatidii  -if  ili;ii  iciiii  the  mIkioI  censed,  nil!  •  Lu  had  ii.>  opportu* 
iiitv  to  aticiiil  line  ai'iTwai'ds.  Her  iimiiIht,  I'.cwevvr.  h.  'mu  aii  .Mi'lliircnt 
vviiiiian.  and  an  cxcclk'nt  srholar.  uavc  her  Ii'.-sotv  at  homo.  On  iIr-  .ith 
of  iNoVLTiibor,  ITiil,  nIu-  was  niivnicil  u>  3lr.  Irvin,  a  iv^spttlnMi'  man, 
thoui^h  ill  niudciatf  inviiinsianit's.  In  llu-  year  1777,  when  cvf  ry  true 
IVicnd  III'  his  connlry  Idl  it  his  duty  to  rendtT  some  jiersonal  s'  r\  i c  ho 
and  a  nri^'hlior.  by  ihi-  name  of  Wiliiain  Handy,  atrn'ed  that  they  wnild 
enlist  for  the  term  of  thn-e  years,  and  eaeh  tn  servo  oii^hieen  months  ; 
Irvin  to  serve  the  first  half,  and  ifandy  the  second.  31r.  Irvu.  entered 
upon  duty,  in  eoinpany  with  many  others  from  tliat  section  ol'  the  <ountry. 
Wiieii  they  had  iiianiied  lo  DiimlVies.  Va..  before  ttiey  joim  •!  ilie  main 
army,  they  were  ordered  to  halt,  and  inoculate  for  the  smar.|Mi...  Irvm 
neglected  to  inoculate,  under  tlie  impression  he  had  had  tiie  disease  during 
infaiuy.  Tlie  conseiiuenie  was,  he  took  tiie  small-pox  in  the  natural  way. 
and  diiMl,  leaving  3Irs.  Irvin.  and  five  small  children,  lour  sons  and  a 
daughter. 

In  the  fall  of  1782,  Mrs.  Irvin  removed,  in  company  with  a  number  of 
enter[)risinLr  Virginians,  to  the  wilds  of  K'-ntrnky  ;  and  three  years  after- 
wards mtermanied  with  Col.  Smith,  by  wliom  she  had  no  is.^ue.  She  died 
about  the  year  IHUO,  in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  in  the  Stith  year  of 
her  age.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  sustained 
through  life  an  unlilemi>lied  reputation.  In  early  lite  she  wrote  but  lillle, 
most  of  her  productions  being  the  fruits  of  her  maturer  vears,  and  while 
she  was  the  wife  of  Col.  Snath.  But  little  of  )ier  conii'osiiion  lias  ever 
been  put  It)  press  ;  but  her  genius  and  taste  were  always  acknowledged  by 
those  who  had  access  lo  the  productions  of  her  pen.  She  had  a  happy 
talent  for  pastoral  jioetry,  and  many  fuguive  pieces  ascribed  to  lier  will 
long  be  cherished  and  admired  by  the  children  of  sung. 

Narrative. — In  May,  17.3-5,  the  province  of  Ponnsylvania 
agreed  to  send  out  three  hundred  nvni,  it.  ordi  r  l(j  cut  a  wa^ron 
road  from  fort  Loudon,  to  join  Braddock's  road,  near  the  Tur- 
key Foot,  or  three  forks  of  Yohooania.  My  brother-in-law, 
William  Smith,  Esq.  ot  Conococdieague,  was  appointed  coni- 
missiouer,  to  iiave  tin      vcrsiglit  of  these  road-cutter.s. 

Though  I  was  at  thi'  n.nc  only  eighteen  years  of  age,  1  had 
fallen  violently  in  love  v;itli  a  younir  lady,  whom  1  apprehended 
was  possessed  of  a  large  share  of  both  beauty  and  virtue  ;  hut 
being  born  between  Venus  and  Mtirs.  I  concltuled  I  must  also 
leave  my  dear  fair  one,  and  go  out  with  this  company  of  road- 
cutters,  to  see  the  event  of  this  campaign;  but  still  expecting 
thai  some  time  in  the  C(utrse  of  this  summer  I  should  again 
return  to  the  arms  of  my  bidoved. 

We  went  on  »viih  the  road,  without  interruption,  until  near 
the  Alleglianv  mountain  ;  when  1  was  sent  back,  in  order  to 
hurry  up  some  provision-wagons  that  were  on  tlu>  way  after 
U3.  i  proceeded  down  the  road  as  far  as  the  crossings  of  Ju- 
niata, where,  finding  tlie  wagons  were  coining  on  as  fast  as 
possible,  I  returned  up  the  road  again  towards  the  Alleghany 


\ 


COLONEL   SMITHS   CAPTIVITi^ 


IBl 


a.  She 
f  vf'ai;>. 
iiyjjiortU' 
1«'lli<;jent 
I  I  lie  .'nh 
Ic  limn, 
cry  line 
rvi'c,  he 

•V   w  illld 

iiiHUtlis  : 
I'lili'it'd 
fouiitry. 
I  lie  iiKiin 
..  Irvm 
.e  (luring 
ual  way. 
IS  and  n 

imber  of 

ars  al'ler- 

She  ilied 

year  of 

sii  si  allied 

but  liille, 

iiid  while 

has  ever 

knbed  by 

I  a  happy 

»  her  will 


\vao"on 

10  tur- 
n-lixw. 

'd   oom- 

.  J  had 
hciided 
uc  ;  but 
list  also 
if  road- 
jKM-ting 

1 1  again 

nil  near 
order  to 
ay  after 
s  of  Ju- 
fast  as 
e.irhany 


i 


mountain,  in  eoinpaiiy  with  one  ArnoM  \'i'.>-oras.  Ahotii  four 
or  live  Miihs  ahm-e  Hedt'nd,  t|»n'?  Ji.di.ni'  hail  innd"  .i  hji.  'i  ni" 
bushes,  siuriv  ill  ihe  ground,  a.s  thougli  llu  v  g^'-'W  naturally, 
where  'h.y  ooncealed  ihoniselvo'^,  about  (ifteen  yards  from  the 
road.  When  we  came  opposite  to  them,  .hey  lirinl  iij)om  us,  at 
this  short  distance,  and  killed  my  fellow-traveller,  yet  ttmir 
])ullets  f'id  not  toueh  me:  liut  my  horse  making  a  violent  start, 
threw  me,  and  the  Indians  immediately  ran  np  and  tool:  me 
prisoner.  The  one  that  laid  hold  on  me  was  a  Canasaiaiiga, 
tlio  other  two  were  D(dawares.  One  of  them  could  sjieak 
English,  and  asked  me  if  there  wer(>  any  more  wiiite  men 
coming  affr.  I  told  them  not  any  near  that  I  knew  of.  Two 
of  these  Indian.  >tood  hv  me,  whilst  the  other  sealped  my 
comrade  ;  they  tlien  set  oil' and  ran  at  a  smart  rale  through  the 
woods,  for  about  (iftceii  miles,  and  that  night  wc  slept  on  the 
Alleghany  mountain,  without  lire. 

The  next  jnorning  they  divided  the  last  of  their  provision 
which  they  had  brought  from  fort  Du  Que.sne,  and  gave  nic  an 
C'jual  share,  which  was  about  two  or  three  ounces  of  mouldv 
biscuit ;  this  and  a  youuir  Lrround-hog,  about  as  lar<ro  as  a  rab- 
bit, roasted,  and  also  eijually  divided,  was  all  the  provision  we 
had  until  we  came  to  the  Loyal  Hannan,  which  was  about  fifty 
miles  ;  and  a  great  part  of  the  way  we  came  through  exceed- 
ing rocky  laur'd  thitdiets,  without  any  path.  When  we  came 
to  the  west  siile  of  Laurel  hill,  th(>y  gave  the  st^ilp  halloo,  na 
usual,  which  is  a  long  yell  or  halloo  for  every  scalp  or  prisoner 
they  have  in  possession  ;  the  last  of  these  scalp  halloos  were 
follow(nl  with  (|nick"  and  suddiMi  shrill  shouts  of  joy  and  t.'i- 
umph.  On  thfir  [I'rforming  this,  we  were  answered  I  /  the 
firing  of  a  number  of  guns  on  the  Loyal  Hamian,  OO'.  i^lor 
another,  (|uick''r  th.ui  one  could  count,  by  another  pa  of 
Indians,  who  were  encamped  near  where  Ligone(>r  now  ;tids. 
As  we  advanced  near  this  partv,  they  increased  with  reji  tted 
shouts  of  joy  and  triumpli  ;  hut  1  did  not  share  with  them  in 
their  exce-siv(>  mirth.  Wdien  we  came  to  this  camp,  we  found 
they  had  plenty  of  turkeys  and  other  ni*  ,it  there;  and  though 
I  never  bef(>re  eat  venison  without  bread  or  salt,  yet  as  I  was 
huuirry  it  relished  very  widl.  There  we  lay  that  night,  and 
the  next  mornin<j  the  whole  of  us  marched  on  our  way  for  fort 
Du  Qui's'ie.  '''he  ni'jht  after  we  join"d  another  camp  of  In- 
dians, with  nearly  the  same  ceremony,  attr'nded  with  .'/r-'at 
noise,  atid  app:ireiit  joy,  among  all  except  one.  The  next 
niorninir  we  continued  our  marcdi,  and  in  the  afternoor  we  carne 
in  full  view  of  the  fort,  which  stood  on  the  point,  near  wdiere 
fort  Pitt  now  stands.  We  then  made  a  halt  on  the  bank  of  the 
Alleghany,  and  repeated  the  scalp  halloo,  wdiich  was  answered 

IG 


11 


:*M 


ii 


i 


182 


COLONEL   SMlTrrS   CArTlVITY. 


'1 


'I 


• 


V 


by  tho  firinq-  of  nil  iho  (irclnr ks  in  tho  liniuis  of  both  Tiulians 
ami  French  \vh(»  ucrf  in  aiul  ii!i(»ut  i}k<  furl,  in  the  afitrcsaid 
miinni-r.  iind  uIm)  the  ureal  i;iins,  wliicli  were  follinvt-d  hy  the 
contiinicd  shimts  and  yells  uf  ihe  dillerent  savag-c  irihes  who 
were  then  i-ollecled  tiiero. 

As  1  was  iit  this  time  unacquainted  with  this  mode  of  firing 
and  yellinir  cd'  tiu^   savaLre^,  1  coiiiduded  that  there  were  thou- 
sands of  Indians  there  n^ady  to  receive  General  iJraddock  ;   hut 
what   added  to  my  surprise,  I  saw  numbers  rniniin'^  towards 
me,  stripped  naked,  exrepiiiiir  breech-clouts,  and  painted  in  the 
most  hideous  manner,  of  various  colors,  thouLdi  the  principal 
color  was  Vermillion,  or  a  briirlit  red  ;   yet  there  was  annexed  to 
this  black,  brown,   blue,  &.c.      As  they  approatdied,  the\  formed 
themselves  into  two  lonii-  ranks,  about  two  or  three  rods  apart. 
1  was  told  by  an  Indian   that  could  speak  Eni^lish,  that  I  must 
run  betwixt  these   ranks,  and  that  they  would  dog  nie  all  the 
way  as  I   ran  ;  and   if  1   ran  ipiick,  it  would   be  so  much   tho 
better,  as  they  wi-uld  quit  when   I  got  to  the  end  of  tho  ranks. 
Ther*.'   appeared   to   bo  a  general   rejoicini>-  around    me,  yet  I 
could  find   nothing  like  joy  in  my  Ijreast ;   but  I  started  to  the 
race  with  all  the  resolution  and  vigor  I  was  caj)able  of  exerting, 
.  nd  found  that  it  was  as  I  had  been  told,  for  I  was  floiro-ed  the 
whole  way.      When  1  had  got  near  the  end  of  the  lines,  I  was 
struck  with  something  that  appeared  to  me  to  be  a  slick,  or  tho 
handle  of  a  tomahawk,  which  caused  me  to  fall  to  the  ground. 
On  my  recovering  my    :  uses,  I  endeavored  to  ri'new  my  race  ; 
but  as  I  arose,  some  one  cast  sand   in  my  eyes,  which  blinded 
me   so  that   I  could    not  see  where   to   run.      'J'hev  contimied 
beating  me  most  intolerably,  until  I  was  at  l(Migth   insensible; 
but  before    I    lost  niy  senses,  1  remember  my  wishitiL'"  them  to 
strike   tht^   fatal  l)low,  for  I    thought   they  intended  killing  me, 
biit  a)>prehended  they  were  too  long  altout  it. 

The  lirst  thins,''  I  remend)or  was  mv  being  in  the  fort  amidst 
the  French  and  Indians,  and  a  FrtMich  doctor  standinir  by  me, 
who  had  opened  a  vein  in  my  left  arm  :  after  whifh  the  inter- 
preter asked  me  how  I  did  ;  I  told  him  S  felt  much  pain.  The 
doctor  then  washed  u\y  wa)unds,  and  the  })ruised  places  of  my 
bi  Jy,  with  French  brandy.  .As  I  fell  faint,  and  the  brandy 
sni.."!t  well,  1  asked  for  some  inwardly,  but  the  doctor  told  me, 
by  iho  interpreter,  that  it  did  not  suit  my  case. 

When  they  found  I  could  speak,  a  number  of  Indians  came 
ftrouutl  me,  and  examined  me,  with  threats  of  crucd  death  if  I 
did  not  tidl  the  truth.  The  lirst  cpiestion  they  asked  me  was 
how  mntiy  nien  were  there  in  the  party  that  were  cominL*-  from 
Pennsylvania  to  join  Hraddock  ?  I  told  them  the  truth,  that 
there  were  three  hundred.     The  next  question  was,  were  they 


> 


COLONEL   SMITH'S    CAP'IIVITY. 


183 


[iidians 

orcsiiid 

hy  the 

»(js  who 

if  firing 
•(■  thou- 
•Iv ;  but 
townrd.s 
1  ill  the 
riiu'ipal 
lexffl  to 

funned 
s  apart. 
.  I  nmst 
•  all  the 
mh  the 
['  ranks, 
e,  yet  I 
d  to  the 
■xertinfT, 
rired  the 
'.s,  I  was 
V,  or  the 
q;rouiid. 
ly  rare  ; 

blinded 

ntinned 
ensihle  ; 

tlieni  to 
ling  me, 

t  arnidst 

r  liy  nje, 

If  inler- 

n.    The 

fs  of  my 

brandy 

told  me, 

ns  came 
•ath  if  I 
nu'  was 
II L""  from 
ith,  that 
ere  they 


\ 


well  armed  ?  I  told  iheni  they  were  all  wi'll  ari^ied,  (meaning 
the  arm  of  llesh,)  lor  lliey  had  only  abont  thirty  gnns  among 
the  whole  of  them  ;  which  if  the  Indians  had  known,  thry 
wnnhl  certainly  have  yone  and  ciil  them  all  oil';  ihorcfore,  J, 
could  not  in  conscience  let  them  know  the  defenceless  situation 
of  these  road-i'Utters.  I  was  then  sent  to  tin'  hospital,  and 
carefnlly  attended  by  the  doctors,  and  recovered  (piicker  than 
what  I  expected. 

Some  time  after  1  vvas  there,  1  was  visited  by  tiie  Delaware 
Indian  already  nieniioned,  who  was  -it  the  takinu"  of  me,  ami 
could  speak'  some  J*)nL;lish.  'I'hoiigh  he  spoke  hot  bad  Knulisli, 
yet  I  fiMiiid  him  to  b(>  a  man  ot  considerable  nnderstaniliiig. 
1  asked  him  if  1  had  done  any  thing  that  had  otii  ikIimI  the  In- 
dians which  cansed  iIumu  to  tri'at  me  so  nnmercifidly.  He 
said  no  ;  it  was  only  an  old  custom  the  Indians  had,  and  it  was 
like  how  do  you  do  ;  aft(n'  that,  he  said,  1  would  be  well  used. 
I  a.-ked  him  if  I  should  be  admitted  to  remain  with  the  French. 
He  said  no  ;  and  told  me  that,  as  soon  as  I  r(N'i>vered,  I  must 
not  only  go  with  the  Indians,  but  must  b(>  madi*  an  Indian  my- 
.self.  I  asked  him  what  news  from  IJraddock's  army.  He 
said  ihe  Indians  spied  them  every  day.  and  he  showed  me,  by 
makincf  marks  on  the  ground  with  a  stick,  that  Hraddock's 
army  was  advancing  in  very  close  order,  and  that  the  Iiulians 
would  surround  them,  take  trees,  and  (as  he  expressed  it)  .s/ioof 
iiin  do/c/i  all  one  pigeon. 

Shortly  after  this,  on  the  9th  day  of  July,  IT.^fj,  in  the 
morning,  I  heard  a  great  stir  in  the  fort.  As  I  could  then 
walk  with  a  stafi'  in  my  hand,  1  went  (uit  of  the  door,  which 
was  just  by  the  wall  of  the  fort,  and  stood  upon  the  wall,  and 
viewed  ihe  Indians  in  a  hudille  before  the  gale,  where  were 
barrels  of  powder,  bullets,  flints.  &c.,  and  every  one  taking 
what  suited.  I  saw  the  Indians  also  march  olFin  rank  entire; 
likewise  the  Frtnich  Canadians,  ruid  some  rej^ulars.  After 
viewiuir  tin;  Indians  and  French  in  different  {»r)sitions,  I  com- 
puted them  to  be  ai)oui  four  hundred,  and  wondere<I  that  they 
attempted  to  go  out  against  Hraddock  with  so  small  a  parly. 
I  was  then  in  high  hopes  that  I  would  soon  see  them  fly  liefore 
the  British  troops,  and  that  General  Rraddock  would  take  the 
fort  and  rescue  me, 

I  remained  anxious  to  kimw  the  event  of  this  day;  and,  in 
the  afternoon,  I  again  observed  a  great  noise  and  commotion 
in  the  fort,  and  ihoutrh  at  lh;it  time  I  could  not  muierstand 
French,  yet  I  found  il  at  it  was  ihe  voice  of  joy  and  triumph, 
and  feared  that  they  had  recei/ed  what  I  called  bad   news. 

I  had  observed  seine  of  the  old  coenlry  soldiers  speak 
Dutch  :  as  I  spoke  Dutch,  I  went  to  one  of  them,  and  asked 


184 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CAPTIVITy. 


fi 


II 


him  what  was  the  news,  lie  told  ino  lliut  a  nninor  liad  jii>t 
arrived,  who  said  that  l)ra(hl()<k  wouhl  certainly  I'e  defeated  ; 
ihat  the  hulians  and  Frencli  liad  surroundr-d  liirn,  ami  were 
concealed  Itehind  trees  and  in  irullies,  and  Kept  a  constant  lire 
upon  the  Enirjish,  and  that  iliey  saw  the  I'^nnlisli  tallini,'-  in 
heaps,  and  if  they  did  not  take  the  river,  v.liich  v.as  the  only 
gap,  and  make  their  escape,  there  won  Id  not  he  one  man  left 
alive  hefore  sundown.  S(jnie  time  after  this  I  heard  a  nnndier 
of  -scalp  halloos,  and  saw  a  company  of  Indians  and  FrtMu  h 
cominif  in.  1  ohserved  they  had  a  jjfreat  many  hloody  scalps, 
grenadiers'  ca{)s,  IJrilish  canteens,  itayonets,  cVc  with  them. 
Tliey  hroiiyht  the  iieus  that  liraddock  was  defeated.  After 
thai  another  company  came  in,  which  appeared  to  he  ahoni  one 
hundred,  and  chielly  Indians,  and  it  seemed  lo  me  that  almost 
every  one  of  this  company  was  carrying  scalps  ;  afl(>r  this 
came  another  company  with  a  numher  of  waL''on  horses,  and 
also  a  <^rea»  lOany  scalps.  Those  that  wt>re  cominLT  '"■  !i'"^ 
those  that  had  arrived,  kept  a  constant  firing  of  small  arms, 
and  also  the  great  guns  in  the  fort,  which  were  accompanied 
with  the  njost  hideous  siiouts  and  yells  from  all  (piarters  ;  so 
lliat  it  appeared  to  me  as  if  the  infernal  regions  had  broke 
loose. 

About  sundown  I  beheld  a  small  party  coming  in  with 
about  a  dozen  prisoners,  stripped  naked,  with  their  hands  tied 
behind  their  backs,  and  their  faces  and  part  of  their  bo  lies 
blacked  ;  these  prisoners  they  burned  to  death  on  the  bank  of 
Alleghany  river,  opposite  lo  the  fort.  I  stood  on  the  fort  wall 
until  I  beheld  them  begin  to  burn  one  oi'  these  men  ;  they 
had  him  tied  to  a  stake,  and  kept  touching  him  with  firebrands, 
red-hot  irons,  &c.,  and  he  screamed  in  a  jnost  d(deful  manner; 
the  Indians,  in  the   mean  time,  yelling  like  infernal  spirits. 

As  this  scene  appeared  too  shocking  for  me  to  behold,  I 
retired  to  my  lodgings  both  sore  and  sorry. 

When  I  came  into  my  lodgings  I  saw  Russcl's  Seven  Ser- 
mons, which  they  had  brought  from  the  field  of  battle,  which  a 
Frenchman  made  a  present  to  me.  From  the  best  information 
I  could  receive,  there  were  only  seven  Indians  and  four  French 
killed  in  this  battle,  and  five  humlred  British  lay  dead  in  the 
field,  besides  what  were  killed  in  the  river  on  their  retreat. 

The  morning  after  the  battle  1  saw  Braddock's  artillery 
brovjght  into  the  fort ;  the  same  day  I  also  saw  several  Indians 
in  British  ofTicers'  dress,  with  sash,  half  moon,  laced  hats,  Ace, 
which  the  British  then  wore. 

A  few  days  after  this  the  Indians  demanded  me,  and  I  was 
obliged  to  go  with  them.  I  was  not  yet  well  able  to  march, 
but  they  took  me  in  a  canoe  up  the  Alleghany  river  to  an  In- 


COLONEL   SMITHS  CAPTIVITY. 


1R5 


' 


dian  town,  that  was  on  ihn  north  side  of  th»^  river,  iil)out  forty 
Tnik's  nhovp  fort  Dii  (.iucsii(\  Here  I  rcinaincd  alioiit  throo 
works,  ami  was  then  taken  to  an  Indian  town  on  ihc  west 
)»ranch  of  MiiskniLniin,  ahont  twenty  miles  above  the  I'orks, 
which  was  called  'I'nilihas,  inhahited  hy  Delawares,  ('an<j'hne- 
waijas,  and  Mohicans.  On  our  ronte  hetwixt  tln^  afon^said 
towns  the  country  was  chieliy  hlaclc  oak  and  white  oak  land, 
which  appeared  n-,.||(M-ally  to  he  irood  wheat  land,  chieliy  second 
and  third  rate,  intermixed  with  some  rich  hottoms. 

Tho  day  after  my  arrival  at  the  aforesaiil  town,  a  innnh(^r 
of  Indians  co1U'c|(m1  ahont  me,  and  one  of  them  het>an  to  ])ull 
the  hair  ont  of  mv  head.  He  hail  some  ashes  on  a  piece;  of 
hark,  in  which  he  treipiently  dippe(l  his  hn^^ers,  in  order  to 
take  the  hrmer  hold,  ami  so  he  went  on,  as  if  he  had  heen 
plnckinc^  a  turkey,  until  ho  had  all  tlie  hair  clean  ont  of  my 
head,  except  a  sniall  spot  at»ont  three  or  four  inches  sipiare  on 
niy  crown;  this  thev  cut  oil"  with  a  pair  of  scisscirs,  oxceptinir 
three  locks,  which  they  dressed  up  in  their  own  mode.  Two 
of  these  they  wrapped  round  with  a  narrow  headed  partc^r 
mad<'  hy  themscdves  for  that  purpose,  and  the  other  they  plaited 
at  full  leny-th,  and  then  .>iuck  it  full  of  silver  hrooches.  After 
this  they  bored  my  nose  and  ears,  and  (ixed  me  otf  with  ear- 
rincTs  and  nose  jewels  ;  then  they  ordered  me  to  strip  off  my 
clothes  and  put  on  a  breech-clout,  which  I  did  ;  they  then 
painted  my  head,  face,  a)id  body,  in  various  colors.  They  put 
a  larL""!'  l)eit  ol"  wampum  on  iny  ueck,  and  silver  bands  on  my 
hands  and  right  arm  ;  and  so  an  old  chief  \vd  me  out  in  the 
street,  and  iifave  the  alarm  halloo,  coo-imn^h,  sevt^ral  times 
repeated  quick  ;  and  on  this,  all  that  wer«^  in  the  town  came 
runninir  and  stood  round  the  old  chief,  who  held  me  by  the 
hand  in  the  midst.  /\s  I  at  that  time  knew  nothinjr  of  their 
mode  of  adoption,  and  had  seen  them  put  to  death  all  they  hud 
taken,  and  as  I  never  could  find  that  they  saved  a  man  alive 
at  Braddock's  defeat,  I  made  no  doubt  but  they  w(,'re  about 
putting  me  to  death  in  some  cruel  manner.  The  old  chief, 
holdinii^  me  by  the  hand,  made  a  long  spc'ech,  very  loud,  and 
when  he  had  done,  he  hancb^l  me  to  three  young  squaws, 
who  led  me  by  the  hand  down  the  bank,  itito  the  river,  until 
the  water  was  up  to  our  middle.  The  sipiaws  then  made  sigiiis 
to  me  lO  plunge  myself  into  the  water,  but  I  did  not  understand 
them  ;  I  thought  that  the  result  of  the  council  was  that  I 
should  be  drowned,  and  that  these  young  ladies  v'ere  to  be  the 
executioners.  They  all  three  laid  violent  hold  of  me,  and  I 
for  some  time  opposed  them  with  all  my  might,  which  occa- 
sioned loud  laughter  by  the  multitude  that  were  on  the  bank 
of  the  river.     At  length  one  of  the  squaws  made  out  to  speak 

lb* 


I 


186 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


{ji 


!|^ 


1/     '^ 


a  little  Euufli^^li,  (for  I  Itdii'vc  ilicy  Ix-lmh  l<>  l»o  afraid  of  pic,) 
uiid  said  no  hurt  yitv.  On  iliis  I  iravc  riiy^'U  up  lo  ilicir  laily- 
ships,  who  Wire  as  f/ood  us  ihcir  word  ;  lor  thoiu'l'.  llicy 
j)lmii,MMl  iMf  iiiuh-r  walor,  ami  u ashed  and  rnhhed  me  severely. 
yet  1  could  not  stiy  llu'y  hurl  ine  niuch. 

These  younuf  woinen  then  led    me  up   to  the  council  house, 
wliere  some  of  the  trihe  were  ready  with    new  clotheh  lor  me. 
They  i^ave  me  a  riciw  rulfled   shirt,  whii-h  I  put  on,  also  a  pair 
of  le^uins  don(>  olT  with  rihhons  and  heads,  likewise  a   j)air  of 
moccasins,  and   garters  dressetl   with  head.>,  porcupine  (|uills, 
and  ri'd  hair — al>o  a  tinsel    la<"(  il  cappo.      They  a^^am  pai  ited 
my  head  and  face  with  various  colors,  and  tied  a  hunch  oT  red 
feathers  to  one   of  those  locks  they  had    left  on    the  crown  of 
my  head,  which  .stood  up  five  or  six  inches.     They  seated  me 
on  a  hearskni,  and    ijfave    me    a    pipe,  tomahawk,  and  polecat- 
skin  pouch,  which  had  heen  skiniaul   pocket  fa>hion,  and  con- 
tained lohacco,  kiUei^enico,  or  dry  sumach   lcave>,  which  they 
mix  with  their  tohacco  ;  also  spunk,  flint,  and  steel.      When  I 
was  thus  si-ated,  the  Indians  came   in  dressed   and   i)ainted  in 
their  <frandest  manner.     As  they  came  in  they  took  their  seats, 
and  for  a  considerahle   time   there  was  a   profound   silence — 
every  one  was   stnokinijf;   hut   not  a  word  wa.s  spoken  among 
them.     At  lenq'th  one  of  the  chiefs  made  a  speech,  which  was 
delivered  to  me  hy  an  inter|)reter,  and  was  as  folio weth  :   "  My 
son,  you  are  now  flesh  of  our  (lesli,  and  hone  of  our  hone.    By 
the   ceremony  which   was   performed  this  day  every  drop  of 
white  blood  was  washed  out  of  your  veins  ;  you  are  taken  into 
the  Cauij^hnewaco   nation,  and    initiated   into  a  warlike   trihe; 
you  are  adojited  into  a  <rreal  family,  and  now  received  with  I'reat 
seriousness  and  solemnity   in   the  room  and   place  of  a  ereat 
man.     After  what  lias  pa>sed  this  day,  you  are  now  one  of  us 
by  an  old   slronjjf   law  and   custom.      My  son,   you    have   now 
nothini^  to   f(  ar — we   are    now  under  the   same  obliiration:    to 
love,  support,  and  defend  you  that  we  are  to  love  and  to  defend 
one  another;  therefore,  you  are  to  consider  yourself  as  one  of 
our  people."     At  this  time   I  did   not  believe  this  {\rn\  speech, 
especially  that  of  the  while  hlood  heinfi:  washed  cut  of  me  ;   but 
since  that  time  I  have   fouml   that  there  was  much  sincerity 
in  said  speech  ;  for,  from  that  day,  I  never  knew  them  to  make 
any  distinction   between   me  and   themselves   in    any  respect 
whatever  until  I  left  them.      If  they  had  plenty  of  clothing,  I 
had  plenty  ;   if  we  were  scarce,  we  all  shared  one  fate. 

After  this  ceremony  was  over,  I  was  introduced  to  my  new 
kin,  and  told  that  I  was  to  attend  a  feast  that  evening,  which 
I  did.  And  as  the  custom  was.  they  gave  me  also  a  bowl  and 
wooden  spoon,  which  I  carried  with  me  to  the  place,  where 


\ 


COLONEL   SMITH  S   CAPTIVITY. 


187 


By 


\ 


iherc!  was  a  number  of  l;ir<4«'  lirass  lo-tilfs  full  of  Ixdli-.l  \rui- 
«(»u  atid  yn'cii  t"t>rii  ;  every  (»iii'  ii.lvaineil  wiili  liis  li.»wl  aiul 
spixdi.  and  hiid  his  >liare  iriveii  liim.  Alter  this,  fan-  of  iho 
chiefs  Miade  a  short  speech,  and  then  we  heLfan  lo  eat. 

Tile  name  ol  one  of  the  I'hiel's  in  this  town  wa.s  Tei'anyate- 
riLrhio,  alias    I'liifLfy.  ;ind    the    oiher  A.sallci'oa.  alias   .Mohauli 
Sidomoii,      As  I'ln-ji^'y  and  hi>  party  were  to  start  the  ne\l  day 
lo  war,  to   the  Irontier.s   of   V'irL'inia,  the  nc.vl   thini,'  to  he   per- 
formeil  was  th<.'  war-dance,  and  their  war-sonijs.      At  their  war- 
dance  they  had   h(»ih  voimI  and   inslruniental  mtisic  ;   they  had 
a  .short  hollow  ,!.,nim,  closed  at  one  end,  with  water  in  it,  and 
parchment  stret'-hed  over  the  open  end  thereof,  which  they  heat 
witli  one  sii(di,  <ind  made  a  sound  in  arly  like   a  mutil'd  drinn. 
All  those  who  were  sj^oitii^  on  tiiis  expedition  collected  to<;etln}r 
and  formed.      An  old  Indian  then  heyan  losini^,  and  limed  the 
mnsic  hy  heatinij  on  this  dram,  as  the  ancients  formerly  tMiied 
their  music  hy  IjLiatin^r  the   tabor.      On  this  the  warrior.s  l)tjjari 
to  advance,  or  move   forward  in  concert,  like  well-discipli'  ril 
troops  would  march  to  the  fife  and  drum.      Kach  warrior  had 
a   tomahawk,   spear,   or   war-mallet    in   hi.s  hand,  and   they  ail 
HJoved  retrularly  towards  the  east,  or  the  way  they  intc.'iided  to 
go   lo  war.      At  lenL,nh    they    all   stretched    their    tomahawks 
towards  the  Potomac,  and  giving  a  hideous  shout  or  y(dl,  they 
wlieeled  (juick   about,  and   danced    in   the   same  manner  l)ack. 
The   next   was    the  war-soni;'.      In   performing    ih's,    only   one 
sung  at  a  time,  in  a  moving  posture,  with  a  tomahawk  in  his 
hand,  while   ail  tlie  other   warriors   were   engaged   in   cidling 
aioud  ho-uh,  he-u/i,  wliich   they  constantly  repeated  wliile   the 
war-song  was  going  on.      When  the  warrior  tiial  was  singing 
hud  ended   his  song,  he  struck  a  w.ir-j)r)st  with   his  tomaliawlf, 
and  with  a  loud  voice  told  what  warlike  e.vpinits  he  had  done, 
and  what  he  now  intended  to  do,  which  were  answered  by  the 
other  warrior. >  with   loud  sliouts  of  applause.      Some  who  had 
not  belore  intended  to  go  to  war,  at  ihi.^  lime,  were  so  animated 
by  this  performance,  that  lh«'y  look  up  the  tomahawk  and  sung 
the  war-song,  which  was  answered  with  shouts  of  joy,  as  tliey 
were  then  initialed  into  the  present  marcliinir  company.      The 
next  morning  this  company  all  collected  at  one  place,  with  their 
heads  and   faces  paitiied  with  various  colors,  and  packs  upon 
their  bacl^s  j   they  marched  off,  all  silent,  except  the  command- 
er, who,  in  the  front,  sung  the  travelling  song,  which  began  in 
this  manner  :   koo  caiii^htauife  hecgana.     Just  as  tlie  rear  pass- 
ed thf»  end   of  the  town,  'hey  began  to  fire  in  their  slow  man- 
ner, from  the  front  to   the   rear,  which  was  accompanied  with 
shouts  and  yells  from  all  quarters. 

This  evening  I  was  invited  to  another  sort  of  dance,  which 


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COLONEL   SMITH'S   CAPTIVITY. 


I!  I 


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wa.s  a  kind  of  promisruons  dance.     The  young  men  stood  in 
one  rank,  and  the  yovuirr  women  \n  another,  about  one  rod  apart, 
facing  each  other.     The  one  that  raised   the  tune,  or  started 
the  song,  held  a  snnall  gourd  or  dry  shell  of  a  squash    in  his 
hand,  which   contained  beads  or  small   stones,  which   rattled. 
When  he  began  to  ^ing,  he  timed  the  tune  witli  his  rattle  ;   both 
men  and  women  danced  and  sung  together,  advancing  towards 
each  other,  stooping  until   their  heads  would  be  toucliing  to- 
gether, and  then  ceased   from  dancing,  with   loud  shouts,  and 
retreated  and  formed  again,  and  so  repeated  the  same  thing 
over  and  over,  for  three  or  four  hours,  without  intermission. 
This  exercise  appeared  to  me  at  first   irrational  and  insipid ; 
but  I  found  that  in  singing  their  tunes   they  used  ya  ne  no  hoo 
wa  ne,  &c.,  like  our  fa  sol  la,  and  though  they  have  no  such 
thing  as  jingling  verse,  yet  they  can  intermix  sentences  with 
their  notes,  and  say  what  they  please  to  each  other,  and  carry 
on  the  tune  in  concert.     I  found  that  this  was  a  kind  of  wooing 
or  courting  dance,  and  as  they  advanced  stooping  with  their 
heads  together,  they  could  say  what  they  pleased  in  each  oth- 
er's ear,  without  disconcerting  their  rough  music,  and  the  others, 
or  those  near,  not  hear  what  they  said. 

Shortly  after  this  I  went  out  to  himt,  in  company  with  Mo- 
hawk  Solomon,  some  of  the  Caughnewagas,  and  a  Delaware 
Indian,  that  was  married  to  a  Caughnewaga  squaw.     We  tra- 
velled about  south  from  this  town,  and  the  first  night  we  killed 
nothing,  but  we  had  with  us  green  corn,  which  we  roasted  and 
ate   that   night.      The   next  day  we   encamped   about  twelve 
o'clock,  and  the  hunters  turned  out  to  hunt,  and  I  went  down 
the  run  that  we  encamped  on,  in  company  with  some  squaws 
and  boys,  to  hunt  plums,  which  we  found  in  great  plenty.     On 
my  return  to  camp  I  observed  a  large  piece  of  fat  meat ;   the 
Delaware  Indian,  that  could  talk  some  English,  observed  me 
looking  earnestly  at   this  meai,  and   asked   me,  what  meat  you 
think  that  is  ?     I  said  I  supposed  it  was  bear  meat ;  he  laugh- 
ed, and  said,  ho,  all  one  fool  yoii,  heal  now  elly  pool,  and  point- 
ing to   the  other  side  of  the  camp,  he  said,  look  at  that  skin, 
you  think  that  heal  skin?     I  went  and  lifted  the  skin,  which 
appeared  like  an  ox-hide  ;  he  then  said,  what  skin  you  think 
that?     I  replied,  that  I   thought  it  was   a  buffalo  hide;  he 
laughed,  and  said,  yoit  fool  again,  you  know  nothing,  you  think 
buffalo  that  colo'f     I  acknowledged  I  did  not  know  much  about 
these  things,  and   told  him   I  never  saw  a  bufTalo,  and  that  I 
had  not  heard  what  color   they  were.     He   xq^\\g\,  by  aiidby 
you  shall  see  gleat  many  buffalo ;  he   noio  go   to  gleat  lick. 
That  skin  no  buffalo  skin,  that  skin  buck-elk  skin.     They  went 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   CAPTIVITY. 


189 


stood  in 
'od  apart, 
)r  started 
>\\  ill  his 
1  rattled, 
tie  ;  both 
;•  'owards 
ctnug  to- 
nuts,  and 
me  thing 
rmission. 

insipid ; 
>ie  no  hoo 

no  such 
ices  with 
ind  carry 
)f  wooing 
vith  their 
each  oth- 
he  others, 

with  Mo- 
Delaware 
We  tra- 
^ve  killed 
isted  and 
It  twelve 
nt  down 
squaws 
ty.     On 
leat ;  the 
rved  me 
meut  you 
e  laugh- 
nd  point- 
hal  skin, 
n,  which 
\ou  think 
lide  ;  he 
mi  think 
ch  about 
nd  that  I 
y  and.  by 
leat  lick. 
ley  went 


1 


V 
i 


a: 


out  with  horses,  and  broiip-lit  in  the  remainder  of  thi>'  buck-elk, 
which  was  the  faltest  crcaiure   I  over  saw  of  the  tallow  kinrl. 

We  remained  at  this  camp  about  oiirlil  or  ten  days,  and  kill- 
ed a  number  of  deer,  Thoui^h  we  had  neither  bread  nor  salt 
at  this  lime,  yet  we  had  bdih  roast  and  boileil  meal  in  uK^at 
plenty,  and  they  were  frequently  inviting  m(.'  to  eat  when  1  had 
no  appetite. 

We  ilien  moved  to  the  bufliilo  lick,  where  we  Icilled  several 
budiilo,  and  in  ihcir  small  brass  kettles  they  made  about  half  a 
bushel  of  salt.  I  suppose  this  lick  was  about  thirty  or  forty 
miles  from  the  aforesaid  town,  and  somewhere  between  the 
]\Iuskiniium,  Ohio,  and  Sciota.  About  the  lick  was  clear, 
open  woods,  and  thin  white  oak  land,  and  at  that  time  there 
were  large  roads  leadini::  to  the  liclc,  lilce  wat^on  roads.  We 
moved  from  this  lick  about  six  or  seven  miles,  and  encamped 
on  a  creek. 

Though  the  Indians  had  given  me  a  gim,  I  had  not  yet  been 
admitted  to  go  out  from  the  camp  to  hunt.  At  this  place  Mo- 
hawk Solomon  asked  me  to  go  out  with  him  to  hunt,  which  I 
readily  aii'roed  to.  After  some  time  we  came  upon  some  fresh 
bufliilo  tracks.  I  had  observed  before  this  that  the  Indians 
were  upon  their  guard,  and  afraid  of  an  enemy  ;  for,  until  now, 
they  and  the  southern  nations  had  been  at  war.  As  we  were 
following  the  butllilo  ut'cks.  Solomon  seemed  to  be  upon  his 
guard,  went  very  slow,  and  would  frequently  stand  and  listen, 
and  appeared  to  be  in  suspense.  We  came  to  where  the  tracks 
were  very  plain  in  the  sand,  and  I  said  it  is  surely  buffalo 
tracks;  he  said, ////.f/i,  yon  know  noth'im:^ ,  maybe  buffalo  tracks, 
may  be  Cataicba.  He  went  very  cautious  until  we  found  some 
fresh  buffalo  dung;  he  then  smiled,  and  said,  Catawba  cannot 
make  so.  He  ihen  stopped,  and  told  me  an  odd  story  about 
the  Catawbas.  He  said  that  formerly  the  Caiawbas  came  near 
one  of  their  huiitiuL'"  camps,  and  at  some  distance  from  the 
camp  lay  in  ambush  ;  and  in  order  to  decoy  them  out,  s(Mit  two 
or  tlu'ee  Catawbas  in  the  night  past  their  camp,  with  buffalo 
hoofs  fixed  on  their  feet,  so  as  to  make  artificial  tracks.  In  the 
morning,  those  in  ihe  camp  followed  after  these  tracks,  thinking 
they  were  buffalo,  uniil  they  were  fired  on  by  the  Catawbas, 
and  several  of  them  killed.  The  others  fled,  colh^cted  a  party 
and  pursued  the  Catawbas  ;  but  they,  in  their  subiilly,  brought 
with  them  rattlesnake  poison,  which  they  had  collected  from 
the  bladder  that  lielh  at  llie  root  of  the  snake's  teeth  ;  this  they 
had  corked  up  in  a  short  piece  of  a  cane-stalk.  They  had  also 
brought  with  them  small  cane  or  reed,  about  the  size  of  a  rye- 
straw,  which  they  made  sharp  at  the  end  like  a  pen,  and  dip- 
ped them  in  this  poison,  and  stuck  them  in  the  ground  among 


1 1' 


!  ' 


:■»!'! 


M  ''H 


:ij 


190 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY 


tlie  grass,  aloncr  ihoir  own  tracks,  in  such  a  position  that  tliey 
mi<,fh'i,  sli(!k  into  the  legs  of  thf.'  pursuers,  which  answ^rod  the 
desit,ni ;  and  as  the  Catawbas  had  runners  behind  to  watch  the 
motion  of  the  pursuers,  when  they  found  that  a  number  of  tiiem 
"v/ere  lauic,  being'  artificially  snake  iiil,  and  that  lliey  were  all 
turning  bade,  the  Catawbas  turned  upon  the  pursuers,  aiul  dc- 
feat(Ml  tbein,  and  killed  and  scalped  all  those  that  W(  re  lame. 
When  Sobjnion  had  lini>hed  ibis  story,  and  htuiul  that  I  un- 
derstood him,  he  concluded  by  saying,  yon  don't  /nioic,  Calawha 
vdbj  had  Indian,  Calaicbu  alt  one  dcril  Catau-ha. 

Some  time  after  this,  I  was  tou]  to  take  the  dogs  with  me, 
and  go  down  the  creek,  perhaps  I  might  kill  a  tuikey  ;  it  being 
in  the  afternoon,  1  was  also  told  not  to  go  far  from  the  creek, 
and  to  come  up  the  creek  again  to  the  camp,  and  io  t;ike  care 
not  to  get  lost.  When  I  bad  gone  >o\x\v  di>tancc  down  the 
creek,  I  came  upon  fresh  bullalo  tracks,  and  as  I  bad  a  number 
of  dogs  with  nie  to  sto])  the  buiialo,  I  coiududed  I  Wftiild  follow 
after  and  kill  one  ;  and  as  the  grass  and  weeds  were  rank,  I 
could  readily  follow  the  track.  A  little  before  sundown  I  des- 
paired of  coming  uj)  with  them.  1  was  then  tiiiidcinii'  how  T 
might  get  to  carnp  before  night.  I  concluded,  as  the  butltilo  had 
made  several  turns,  if  I  took  the  track  back  to  the  creek  it 
would  be  dark  before  I  could  get  to  camp;  therefore  I  thought 
I  would  take  a  near  way  through  the  hills,  and  strike  the  creek 
a  little  below  the  camp;  but  as  it  was  cloudy  weather,  and  I 
a  very  young  woodsman,  I  could  lind  neither  creek  nor  camp. 
When  night  came  on  I  fired  my  gim  several  times,  and  hal- 
looed, but  could  have  no  answer.  The  next  morning  early, 
the  Indians  were  out  after  me,  and  as  I  had  with  me  ten  or  a 
dozen  dogs,  and  the  prass  and  weeds  rank,  they  could  readily 
follow  my  track.  When  they  came  up  with  me,  they  appeared 
to  be  in  very  good  humor.  I  asked  Solomon  if  he  thought  I 
was  running  away;  he  said,  vo,  no,  yov.  i^o  too  much  cloohcd. 
On  my  return  to  camp  they  took  my  gun  from  me,  and  for  this 
rash  step  1  was  reduced  to  a  bow  and  arrows,  for  near  two 
years.     W'e  were  out  on  this  tour  for  about  six  weeks. 

This  country  is  generally  hilly,  though  intermixed  with 
considerable  quantities  of  rich  upland,  aiul  some  good  bottoms. 

When  we  returned  to  the  town,  Pluggy  and  his  party  had 
arrived,  and  brought  with  them  a  considerable  number  of  scalps 
and  prisoners  from  the  south  branch  of  the  Potomac  ;  they 
also  brought  with  them  an  EnglisJi  Bible,  which  they  gave  to 
a  Dutch  woman  who  was  a  prisoner ;  but  as  she  could  not 
read  English,  she  made  a  present  of  it  to  me,  which  was  very 


acceptable 
I  remame 


d  in  this  town  until  some  time  in  October,  when 


J 


I 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   CAPTIVITY. 


191 


hat  they 
'ered  the 
•atch  the 
'  of  them 

were  all 
,  aiul  ile- 

re  lame, 
hal  1  \ni- 

Cataiciia 


with  me, 

il  bein<:( 

\\v  ereeU', 

lake  care 

Inwn  the 

I  iniiuber 

ikl  Ibllow 

'c  rank,  I 

kvn  I  des- 

iti'  how  I 

idalo  had 

!  creek  it 

I  thought 

the  creek 

ler,  and  I 

or  camp. 

and  hal- 

nij  early, 

ten  or  a 

d  readily 

appeared 

houoht  I 

rlooked. 

lor  this 

near  two 

feed  with 
bottoms, 
arty  had 
of  scalps 
ac  ;  they 
y  inave  to 
on  Id  not 
was  very 

er,  when 


J 


u 


my  adopted  brother,  called  'r()ntileanL''o,  \\\\o  hud  married  a 
Wvandol  s([na\v,  toolc  iiic  with  liiiii  to  hike  \\Ui\  We  pro- 
ceeded np  the  wi.'st  branch  of  MnskinLTnm,  ;ind  Ibr  some  dis- 
tan'^e  up  the  river  the  land  wns  hilly,  l)tU.  intermixed  withlarcfo 
bodies  of  toleralile  rich  upland,  and  excellent  bntlnms.  We 
proceediil  nii  to  the  head  waters  of  the  west  branch  of  Musk- 
inti'um.  (  bi  til"  he;id  waters  of  this  branch,  and  from  thence 
to  the  waters  of  Canesadooharie,  there  is  a  larLTe  bodv  of  rich, 
well  lyinuf  land  ;  the  tindjcr  is  ash,  walnut,  suL'ar-tree,  buckeye, 
honey-locust,  and  cherry,  intermixed  with  some  oak,  hickory, 
(Sec.  This  tour  v\as  at  the  time  that  the  black  htiws  were  ripe, 
and  we  were  seldom  out  of  sin-ht  of  them  ;  they  were  connnori 
here  both  in  the  bottoms  and  upland. 

On  this  route  we  had  no  horses  with  us,  and  when  we  start- 
ed from  the  town  all  the  pack  I  carried  was  a  pouch  containing 
my  books,  a  little  dried  venison,  and  my  blaid<et.  I  iiad  then 
no  gnn,  but  Tontileauo-o,  who  was  a  first-rate  hiniter,  carried  a 
rifle  gun,  and  every  day  killed  deer,  raccoons,  or  bears.  We 
left  the  meat,  excepting  a  little  for  present  use,  and  carried  the 
skins  with  us  imtil  we  encamped,  and  then  stretched  them  with 
elm  bark,  in  a  frame  made  with  poles  stuck  in  the  ground,  and 
tied  together  with  lynn  or  elm  bark  ;  and  when  the  skins  were 
dried  by  the  fire,  we  packed  them  np  and  carried  them  with  us 
the  next  day. 

As  Tontileaugo  could  not  speak  Encflish,  I  had  to  make  use 
of  all  the  Caughnewaira  I  had  learned,  even  to  talk  very  im- 
perfectly with  him  ;  but  I  foimd  I  learned  to  talk  Indian  faster 
this  way  than  when  I  had  those  with  me  who  could  speak 
En   '=sh. 

As  we  proceeded  down  the  Canesadooharie  waters,  our  packs 
increased  by  the  skins  that  were  daily  killed,  and  became  so 
very  heavy  that  we  could  not  march  more  than  eiijht  or  ten 
miles  per  day.  We  came  to  lake  Erie  about  six  miles  west  of 
the  mouth  of  Canesadooharie.  As  the  wind  was  very  high 
the  eveninof  we  came  to  the  lake,  I  was  surprised  to  hear  the 
roaring  of  the  water,  and  see  the  high  waves  that  dashed  against 
the  shore,  like  the  ocean.  Wc  encamped  on  a  run  near  the 
lake,  and  as  the  wind  fell  that  night,  the  next  morning  the  lake 
was  only  in  a  moderate  motion,  and  we  marched  on  the  sand 
along  the  side  of  the  water,  frerpiently  resting  ourselves,  as  we 
were  heavily  hiden.  I  saw  on  the  sand  a  ntimber  of  largo  fish, 
that  had  been  left  in  fiat  or  hollow  places  ;  as  the  wind  fell  and 
the  waves  abated,  they  were  left  without  water,  or  only  a  small 
quantity;  and  nund)ers  of  l)ald  and  grey  eagles,  &c.,  were 
along  the  shore  devouring  them. 

Some  time  in  the  afternoon  we  came  to  a  large  camp  of 


I 


'    !A 


i  'I 


?  '■•: 


192 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTTVITY. 


^■-i 
'*l| 


I  • 


V/yariflols,  at  the  inoutli  (if  CaiiPsadoobn'Mc,  wliorc  Tontile.iu- 
g-o's  wife  was.  [Icrc  xv  were  Kiii<lly  ri'fcix cd  ;  thry  irave  us 
a  kiiiil  (if  roiiuh,  hrown  potautcs,  wliicli  n-icw  spoiitaiKonsly, 
and  were,'  calli-d  1)V  tlio  (.\iii'^''hiic\va'ja.-!  (^fnirnnla.  TIu'sp  pf)- 
lalocs  peeled  iiiid  dipjx'd  in  rarcooii's  (at  taste  nearly  lil<i'  our 
SAVoet  potatoes;.  They  also  jrave  us  what  they  call  rnnchranfa, 
which  is  a  kind  of  iioinony,  made  oC  i^^reen  onrn.  dried,  and 
beans,  mixed  to^fther. 

From  the  head  waters  of  Canesadonharie  to  this  place,  the 
land  is  jrenerally  good  ;  chiefly  first  or  second  rale,  and,  com- 
paratively, little  or  no  third  rate.  The  only  refuse  is  pomo 
swamps  that  appear  to  he  tr  o  wet  for  use,  y^t  I  apprehend  that 
a  numher  of  them,  if  drained,  would  make  excfdlent  meadows. 
The  timber  is  black  oak,  walnut,  hi(d<ory,  cherry,  black  ash, 
white  ash,  water  ash,  buckeye,  black-locust,  honey-locust, 
sugar-tree,  and  elm.  There  is  also  some  land,  though  com- 
paratively but  small,  where  the  timber  is  chiefly  white  oak,  or 
beech  ;  this  may  be  called  third  rate.  In  the  bottoms,  and  also 
many  places  in  the  upland,  there  is  a  large  quantity  of  wild 
apple,  plum,  and  red  and  black  haw  trees.  It  appeared  to  be 
well  watered,  and  a  pl(Mity  of  meadow  ground,  intermixed  with 
upland,  but  no  large  jirairif^s  or  glades  that  I  saw  or  heard  of. 
In  this  route  deer,  bear,  turkeys,  and  raccoons  appeared  plen- 
ty, but  no  buffalo,  and  very  little  sign  of  elks. 

Wp  continued  our  camp  at  the  mouth  of  Canesadooharie 
for  some  time,  where  we  killed  some  deer,  and  a  great  many 
raccoons  ;  the  raccoons  here  were  remarkably  large  and  fat. 
At  length  we  all  embarked  in  a  lame  birch  bark  canoe.  This 
vessel  was  about  four  feet  wide,  and  three  feet  deep,  and  about 
five  and  thirty  feet  long  ;  and  tho\tn-h  it  could  carry  a  heavy 
burden,  it  was  so  artfully  and  curiously  constructed,  that  four 
men  could  carry  it  several  miles,  or  from  one  landing  place  to 
another,  or  from  the  waters  of  the  lake  to  the  waters  of  the 
Ohio.  We  proceeded  up  Canesadooharie  a  few  miles,  and 
went  on  shore  to  hunt  ;  but  to  mv  great  surprise  they  carried 
the  vessel  we  all  came  in  up  the  liatik,  and  inverted  it  or  turn- 
ed the  bottom  up,  and  converted  it  to  a  dwelling-house,  and 
knidled  a  fire  before  us  to  warm  ourselves  by  and  cook.  Witli 
our  baggage  and  ourselves  in  this  house  we  were  very  much 
crowded,  yet  our  little  house  turned  off  the  rain  very  Avell. 

We  kept  moving  and  hunting  up  this  river  until  we  came 
to  the  falls  ;  here  we  remained  some  weeks,  and  killed  a  num- 
ber of  deer,  several  bears,  and  a  great  many  raccoons.  From 
the  mouth  of  this  river  to  the  falls  is  about  five  and  twenty 
miles.  On  our  passage  up  I  was  not  much  out  from  the  river, 
but  what  I  saw  was  good  land,  and  not  hilly. 


1 1 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CAniVlTV. 


193 


Tontilenu- 
Ty  (jrivc  us 
itjuu  oiisly, 

Those  po- 
ly lil<<'  our 
•anchvanta, 

dried,  and 

«  place,  the 
,  and,  com- 
se  is  pornc 
rebend  that 
t  meadows. 
,  black  ash, 
Diiey -locust, 
bough  com- 
hite  oak,  or 
[71S,  and  also 
itily  of  wild 
pcarod  to  be 
■rmixed  with 
or  heard  of. 
peared  plen- 

lesadooharie 
(Tvuat  many 
rrre   and  tat. 
anoe.     This 
I,  and  about 
rry  a  heavy 
d,  that  four 
n<]f  place   to 
aters   of  the 
miles,  find 
hey  carried 
I  it  or  turn- 
<r-bouse.  and 
"•ook.     With 
very  much 
XX  well, 
nil  we  came 
illed  a  num- 
)ons.     From 
and  twenty 
om  the  river, 


About  the  falls  is  thin  chesinil  laud,  which  is  a'mo.st  the 
only  chesiiui  tinibcr  1  v\v\-  >\\\\  in  ibis  cciuntrv. 

While  we  reuiiiined  here  1  left  my  pouch  with  my  books  in 
camp,  wr:!))!  up  in  my  blaukt't.  aud  wei..  out  to  bunt  chestiuts. 
On  my  rcluru  to  caui[)  my  books  wrre  missiiiL'".  I  in([uired 
after  them,  r.iul  ask<'(l  tlio  Indians  ii'  th"V  knew  wIumv  ihey 
were  ;  they  tolil  me  that  ilu^v  supposed  the  puppirs  hud  carried 
them  oil'.  I  did  not  believe  them,  but  thou'ihl  tlicv  W(>re  dis- 
ph'ased  at  my  porinof  over  my  books,  and  couclu  led  that  they 
had  destroyed  them,  or  put  them  out  of  my  way. 

After  this  I  was  again  out  alter  nuts,  and  on  my  return 
beheld  a  new  erection,  composed  of  two  white;  oak  saplings, 
that  were  forked  about  twelve  feet  high,  and  stood  about  fif- 
teen feet  apart.  They  had  cut  thoe  saplings  at  the  forks,  and 
laid  a  strong  pole  across,  which  appeared  in  the  forui  of  a  gal- 
lows, and  the  poles  they  liad  shaved  v(>ry  smooth,  and  painted 
in  ))laces  with  vermillion.  I  could  not  conceive  the  use  of 
this  piece  of  work,  and  at  length  concluded  it  was  a  gallows. 
I  thought  that  I  had  displeased  iheni  by  reading  my  books,  and 
that  they  were  about  putting  me  to  death.  The  next  morning 
I  observed  them  briniring  their  skins  all  to  this  place,  and 
hang  ig  them  over  this  pole,  so  as  to  preserve  them  from  being 
injured  by  the  weather.  This  removed  my  fears.  They  also 
buried  their  large  canoe  in  the  ground,  which  is  the  way  they 
took  to  preserve  this  sort  of  a  canoe  in  the  winter  season. 

As  we  had  at  this  time  no  horse,  every  on*^  got  a  pack  on  his 
back,  and  we  steered  an  east  course  about  twelve  miles  and 
encamped.  The  next  morning  we  proceeded  on  the  same 
course  about  ten  miles  to  a  large  creek  that  empties  into  lake 
Erie,  betwixt  Canesadooharie  and  Cayahaga.  Here  they  made 
their  winter  i-abin  in  the  following  form  :  they  cut  logs  about 
fifteen  feet  lonu",  and  laid  these  logs  upon  each  other,  and  drove 
posts  in  the  ground  at  each  end  to  keep  them  together  ;  the 
posts  they  tied  toirether  at  the  top  with  baric,  and  by  this  means 
raised  a  wall  lifieen  feet  long,  and  about  four  feet  high,  and  in 
the  same  manner  they  raised  armther  wall  opposite  to  this,  at 
about  twelve  feet  distance;  then  they  drove  forks  in  the  ground 
in  the  centre  of  each  end,  and  laid  a  strong  pole  from  end  to 
end  on  these  forks  ;  and  from  these  walls  to  the  poles,  they 
set  up  poles  instead  of  rafters,  and  on  these  they  tied  small 
poles  in  place  of  laths  ;  and  a  cover  was  made  of  lynn  bark, 
which  will  run  even  in  the  winter  season. 

As  every  tree  will  not  run,  they  examine  the  tree  first,  by 
trying  it  near  the  ground,  and  'vhen  they  find  it  will  do  they 
fell  the  tree,  and  raise  the  bark  with  the  tomahawk,  near  the 
top  of  the   tree,  about  five  or  six   inches  broad,  then   put  the 

17 


i 


194 


COLONEL  SMITHS   CAPTTVITY. 


^1 


tomahawk  hajidlo  under  this  hark,  am!  pull  it  alonr^  down  to 
the  butl  (if  till'  troc ;  so  thai  soinctimos  oik;  picrc  of  hark  will 
be  thirty  fcc-t  lono-.  This  hark  tln-y  rut  at  suitable  lengths  in 
order  to  cover  the  hut. 

At  the  end  of  those  walls  they  set  up  split  timber,  so  that 
they  had  timber  all  round,  cxoeplino-  a  door  at  each  end.  At 
the  fop,  in  place  of  a  chimney,  they  left  nn  open  plai'o,  and  for 
beddinsjc  they  laid  down  the  aioresaid  kitid  of  bark,  on  which 
they  spread  bear-skins.  From  end  to  end  of  this  hut  along 
the  middle  there  were  fires,  which  the  scpiaws  madf  of  dry 
split  wood,  and  the  holes  or  opf;n  places  thr.t  appeared  the 
squaws  stopped  with  moss,  which  they  collected  from  old  logs; 
and  at  the  door  they  hung  a  bear-skin  ;  and  notwiihstanding- 
the  winters  arc  hard  here,  our  lodging  was  much  bettor  than 
what  I  expected. 

It  was  some  time  in  December  when  wo  finished  this  win- 
ter cabin  ;  but  when  we  had  got  into  this  comparatively  fine 
lodging,  another  dilHculty  arose,  we  had  nothing  to  eat.  While 
I  was  travelling  with  Tontileaugo,  as  was  before  mentioned, 
and  had  plenty  of  fat  venison,  bear's  meat  and  raccoon?,  I  then 
thought  it  was  hard  living  without  bread  or  salt  ;  but  now  I 
began  to  conclude,  that  if  I  had  any  thing  that  would  banish 
pinching  hunger,  and  keep  soul  and  body  together,  I  would  be 
content. 

While  the  hunters  were  all  ou*,  exerting  themselves  to  the 
utmost  of  their  ability,  the  squaws  and  beys  (in  vvhich  class  I 
was)  were  scattered  out  in  the  bottoms,  hunting  red  haws, 
black  haws  and  hickory  nuts.  As  it  was  too  late  in  the  year, 
we  did  not  succeed  in  gathering  haws  ;  but  we  liad  tolerable 
success  in  scratching  up  hickory  nuts  from  under  a  light  snow, 
which  we  carried  with  us  lest  the  hunters  should  not  succeed. 
After  our  return  the  hunters  came  in,  who  had  killed  only  two 
small  turkey?,  which  were  but  little  among  eight  hunters  and 
thirteen  squaws,  boys,  and  children  ;  but  they  were  divided 
with  the  greatest  equity  and  justice — every  one  got  their  equal 
share. 

The  next  day  the  hunters  turned  out  again,  and  killed  one 
deer  and  thrse  bears. 

One  of  the  bears  was  very  large  and  remarkably  fat.  The 
hunters  carried  in  meat  sufficient  to  give  us  all  a  hearty  sup- 
per and  breakfast. 

The  squaws  and  all  that  could  carry  turned  out  to  bring  in 
meat, — every  one  had  their  share  assigned  them,  and  my  load 
was  among  the  least ;  yet,  not  being  accustomed  to  carrying 
in  this  way,  I  got  exceeding  weary,  and  told  them  my  load 
was  too  heavy,  I  must  leave  part  cf  it  and  come  for  it  again. 


i 


: 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CArTIVJTY. 


195 


y  down  io 
'  bnrk  will 
leiigtlis  ill 

IT,  so  that 

ciul.     Ai 

L'c,  i\iul  for 

oil  which 

h'.il  i\\ou<r 

ide   of  dry 

poared  the 

n  old  \orrH ; 

idistanding 

letter  than 

1  this  win- 
it  ivcly  fine 
■at.  While 
mentioned, 
)oiis,  I  then 
hut  now  I 
»uld  banish 
I  would  be 

vof  to  the 
lich  class  I 

red  haws, 
n  the  year, 
id  tolerable 

iL'ht  snow, 
lot  succeed. 
m1  only  two 
untcrs  and 
ere  divided 

their  equal 

killed  one 

r  fat.  The 
hearty  sup- 
to  bring  in 
nd  my  load 
to  carrying* 
m  my  load 
)r  it  again. 


I 


They  made  a  lialt  and  only  laughed  at  me,  and  took  part  of 
my  load  and  added  it  to  a  young'  scjuaw's,  who  had  as  much 
before  as  I  carried. 

This  kind  of  reproof  had  a  greater  tcMulciicy  to  ext  ite  me  to 
exert  myself  in  carrying  wiilutul  c(>mplaiiiiiig  than  if  ilicy  had 
whipped  me  for  laziness.  After  this  the  hunters  held  a  coun- 
cil, and  concluded  that  they  must  have  horses  to  carry  their 
loads;  and  that  they  w(jul(l  go  to  war  even  in  this  inclement 
season,  in  ortler  to  bring  in  horses. 

Tontileaiigo  wished  to  be  one  of  those  who  should  go  to  war  ; 
but  the  votes  went  agiiinst  him,  as  he  was  one  of  our  best  hun- 
ters ;  it  was  thou","iit  necessary  to  leave  him  at  this  winter 
camp  to  )i'()vide  f(U'  the  s([uaws  and  children.  It  was  airreed 
upon  that  Tontileaugo  and  three  others  shoulil  stay  and  hunt, 
and  the  other  four  go  to  war. 

They  then  began  t^  o  through  their  comuion  ceremony. 
They  sung  their  war-songs,  danced  their  war-dances,  &c. 
And  when  they  were  equipi)ed  they  went  olf  singing  tlnur 
marching  song,  and  tiring  their  guns.  Our  camp  ajipeared  to 
be  rejoicing ;  but  I  was  grieved  to  think  that  some  innocent 
persons  would  be  murdered,  not  thinking  of  danger. 

Alter  the  departure  of  these  warriors  we  had  hard  times ; 
and  though  we  were  not  altogether  out  of  provisions,  we  were 
brought  to  short  allowance.  At  length  Tontileaugo  had  con- 
siderable success,  and  we  had  meat  brought  into  camp  sulTi- 
cient  to  last  ten  days.  Tontileaugo  then  took  me  with  him  in 
order  to  encamp  some  distance  from  this  winter  cabin,  to  try 
his  luck  there.  We  carried  no  provisions  with  us  ;  he  said  he 
would  leave  what  was  there  for  the  s(iuaws  and  children,  and 
that  we  could  shift  for  ourselves.  We  steered  about  a  soutli 
course  up  the  waters  of  this  creek,  and  encamped  about  ten  or 
twelve  miles  from  the  winter  cabin.  As  it  was  still  cold 
weather  and  a  crust  upon  the  snow,  which  made  a  noise  as 
we  walked,  and  alarmed  the  deer,  we  could  kill  nothing,  and 
consequently  went  to  sleep  without  supper.  The  only  chance 
we  had  under  these  circumstances  was  to  hunt  bear  holes  ;  as 
the  bears  about  Christmas  search  out  a  winter  longing  place, 
where  they  lie  about  three  or  four  months  without  eating  or 
drinking.  This  may  appear  to  some  incredible  ;  but  it  is  well 
known  to  be  the  case  by  those  who  live  in  the  remote  west- 
ern parts  of  North  America. 

The  next  morning  early  we  proceeded  on,  and  when  we 
found  a  tree  scratched  by  the  bears  climbing  up,  and  the  hole 
in  the  tree  sufficiently  large  for  the  reception  of  the  bear,  we 
then  felled  a  sapling  or  small  tree  against  or  near  the  hole  ; 
and  it  was  my  business  to  climb  up  and   drive  out  the  bear, 


196 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


Hi 


i'l 


r  i 


while  ToMtileanijro  stood  reiuly  with  liis  friin  and  how.  VVc 
w<Mil  on  m  this  iikhiih'I'  until  cvrniiij/,  without  sticcess.  At 
ioiij^lh  wo  found  ii  larifc  elm  scriiti-hcd,  and  a  Indc  in  it  ahoiit 
forty  A'ct  up;  hut  no  tree  ni^h,  suilahlc  to  lod^c  ai^ainsl  llic 
liolc.  Tontilcaui^o  j,n)t  a  lonu'  |i<i|t'  and  sonic  dry  rolltii  wood, 
which  he  ti"(l  in  Ijuia'hcs,  with  hark  ;  and  as  there  was  u  tree 
ll»at  frrew  near  the  elm,  and  extended  u[i  near  the  lude,  hut 
leaned  the  wroni,'  wav,  so  that  we  could  not  hxh-'e  it  to  advan- 
liij.'e,  lo  n'uiedy  this  inconvenieiiee,  ho  (•liiuhed  up  this  tr<'e  and 
carried  with  hint  his  rotten  wo(t(l,  (ire  and  j)ole.  'J'lie  rotten 
wood  he  tied  to  his  Ixdl,  and  to  one  end  id  the  pole  lie  lied  a 
liook'  and  a  piece  ol  rotten  wood,  which  he  set  Ww.  to,  as  it 
would  retain  lire  almost  like  s-pinik,  and  reached  this  hook 
from  limh  to  limh  as  he  went  u|).  When  he  'j^ol  up  with  his 
pole  lit!  put  dry  wo(m1  on  lire  into  the  hole  ;  after  he  put  in 
the  fire  he  heard  the  hear  snuir,  and  he  came  sjieedily  down, 
took  his  i>un  in  his  h;nid,  and  waiieil  tuitil  the  hear  would 
come  out;  hut  it  was  some  time  hefore  it  ajtpeared,  and  when 
it  did  appear  he  attempted  takin;^-  sig'ht  with  his  riHe  ;  hut  it 
bein<,'-  then  too  dark  to  see  the  sights,  lie  set  it  down  by  a  tree, 
and  instantly  hont  his  how,  took  hold  of  an  arrow,  and  shot 
tjie  bear  a  little  behind  the  shoulder.  1  was  pre})aring  also  lo 
shoot  an  arrow,  but  he  called  to  nic  to  stop,  there  was  no 
occasion  ;  and  with  that  the  bear  fell  to  the  ground. 

Being  very  hunory,  we  kindled  a  fire,  opened  the  bear,  took 
out  the  liver,  and  \\  rapped  some  of  the  caul  fat  round,  and  put 
it  on  a  wooden  spit,  which  we  stuck  in  the  ground  by  the  tire 
to  roast ;  then  we  skinned  the  bear,  got  on  our  kettle,  and  had 
both  roast  and  boiled,  and  also  sauce  to  our  meat,  which 
appeared  to  me  to  be  delicate  fare.  After  I  was  fully  satisfied 
I  went  to  sleep  ;  Tontileaugo  awoke  me,  saying,  come,  eat 
hearty,  we  have  got  meat  plenty  now. 

The  next  morning  we  cut  down  a  lynn  tree,  peeled  bark  and 
made  a  sntjg  little  shelter,  facing  the  south-east,  with  a  large 
log  betwixt  us  and  the  north-west;  we'  made  a  good  fire  before 
us,  and  scafTolded  up  our  meat  at  one  side.  When  we  had  fin- 
ished our  camp  we  went  out  to  hunt,  searched  two  trees  for 
bears,  but  to  no  purpose.  As  the  snow  thawed  a  little  in  the 
afternoon,  Tontileaugo  killed  a  deer,  which  we  carried  with  us 
to  camp. 

The  next  day  we  turned  out  to  hunt,  and  near  the  camp  we 
found  a  tree  well  scratched  ;  but  the  hole  was  above  forty  feet 
high,  and  no  tree  that  we  could  lodge  against  the  hole;  but 
finding  that  it  was  very  hollow,  we  concluded  that  we  could 
cut  down  the  tree  with  our  tomahawks,  which  kept  us  work- 
ing a   considerable  part  of  the  day.     When  the  tree  fell  we 


L    il 


COLONEL  SMITHS    CAl'TIVITV. 


197 


iM 


how.  \Vc 
(•(•f"*s.  At 
ill  il  iilxxit 
uuiiiisi  tlio 
)il<'n  wood, 
wiis  a  ircc 
■  hole,  liMl 
I  to  ;i(lviill- 
i>  tree  and 

'I'llO     roll  CM 

ho  lied  a 
re   to,  !is    il 

tliis  lioolv 
ip  wiili  his 

he  put  in 
'dily  down, 
jear  would 
,  and  when 
illc  ;  but  it 
i\  by  a  tree, 
\\,  and  sliot 
rinc:  also  to 
're    was   no 

e  bear,  took 
11(1,  and  put 

by  the  tire 
le,  and  had 
eat,  w'hii'h 
lly  salisfied 

,  come,  eat 

•d  bark  and 
,'ith  a  larcfe 
(ire  before 
we  had  lin- 
vo  trees  for 
ittle  in  ihe 
led  wiih  us 

e  camp  we 
e  forty  feet 
hole ;  but 
t  we  could 
t  us  work- 
ree  fell  we 


ran  up,  Tontiloauj^o  with  his  (r\u\  and  l)ow,  and  I  wiili  tny  how 
ready  bent.  Tontib  ■uil'"o  shot  the  bear  ihrouLrh  with  ins  rifle, 
a  lilile  behind  the  shoulders  ;  I  also  shot,  but  too  far  baclv  ;  and 
not  beinijf  then  nuich  acfustomed  to  the  busiiios,  niv  arrow 
penetrated  only  a  few  inches  throuyh  the  skin.  Haviiii,'' killed 
an  old  she  bear  and  three  cubs,  we  hauled  her  on  the  snow  to 
the  camp,  and  oidy  had  time  afterwards  to  get  wood,  make  a 
lire,  cook,  Ace,  befon^  diirlc. 

Early  the  next  morniiif];'  wc  went  to  business,  searched  seve- 
ral trees,  but  found  no  bears.  On  our  way  Innne  we  took 
three  raccoons  out  of  a  hollow  elm,  n(»t  far  from  the  i^^round. 

We  remained  here  about  two  wecdvs,  ami  in  ibis  time  killed 
four  bears,  three  deer,  several  turkeys  and  a  number  of  rac- 
coons. We  packed  up  as  much  meat  as  we  could  carry,  and 
returned  to  our  winter  cabin.  On  our  arrival  there  was  great 
joy,  as  they  were  all  in  a  starving  condition,  the  tbrt'(!  hunt- 
ers that  we  had  left  having  killed  but  very  little.  All  that 
could  carry  a  pack,  repaired  to  our  camp  to  bring  in  meat. 

Some  time  in  February  the  four  warriors  returned,  who  had 
taken  two  scalps  and  six  horses  from  the  frontiers  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Th?  hunters  could  then  scatter  out  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  the  winter  cabin  and  encamp,  kill  meat,  and  bri.ig 
it  in  upon  horses  ;  so  that  we  commonly  after  this  had  plenty 
of  provision. 

In  this  month  we  began  to  make  sugar.  As  some  of  the 
elm  bark  will  strip  at  this  season,  the  squaws,  after  finding  a 
tree  that  would  do,  cut  it  down,  and  with  a  crooked  stick,  broad 
and  sharp  at  the  end,  took  the  bark  off  the  tree,  and  of  this 
bark  made  vessels  in  a  curious  manner,  that  would  hold  about 
two  gallons  each  :  they  made  above  one  hundred  of  these  kind 
of  vessels.  In  the  sugar  tree  they  cut  a  notch,  sloping  down, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  notch  stuck  in  a  tomahawk ;  in  the  place 
where  they  stuck  the  tomahawk  they  drove  a  long  chip,  in 
order  to  carry  the  water  out  from  the  tree,  and  under  this  they 
set  their  vessel  to  receive  it.  As  sugar  trees  were  plenty  and 
large  here,  they  seldom  or  never  notched  a  tree  that  was  not 
two  or  three  feet  over.  They  also  made  bark  vessels  for  car- 
rying the  water,  that  would  hold  about  four  gallons  each. 
They  had  two  brass  kettles,  that  held  about  fifteen  gallons 
each,  and  other  smaller  kettles  in  which  they  boiled  the  water. 
But  as  they  could  not  at  times  boil  away  the  water  as  fast  as 
it  was  collected,  they  made  vessels  of  bark,  that  would  hold 
about  one  hundred  gallons  each,  for  retaining  the  water  ;  and 
though  the  sugar  trees  did  not  run  every  day,  they  had  always 
a  sufficient  quantity  of  water  to  keep  them  boiling  during  the 
whole  sugar  season. 

17* 


^V 


p 


198 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CAt'TIVITV. 


V  s 


Ul 


i ; 


The  way  wc  cominoiily  \\>v(\  our  sn'j:iir  while  e(ifarii|)(  d  wan 
by  pullintj;  it  in  bcar'^  tai  until  lln-  I'iii  was  nlino-l  a^s  >uri'i  us 
the  •«ii;.'-ar  ilscH',  and  in  iliis  we  dijtped  our  loa.sled  \cni>c)n. 
Ahout  this  titno  .some  ol'  ihe  Indian  ladx  rind  inysell'  were  i-ni- 
ph)yed  in  nialvini;  and  attending  traps  for  catching  ruccimn.'s, 
foxes,  wildcals,  cVc. 

As  llie  raccoon  is  ii  kind  of  water  uniinal,  that  frei|uents  the 
runs,  or  .small  water  courses,  ahnost  the  whole  niy:ht,  we  made 
our  traps  on  the  runs,  hy  laying  one  small  sapling  on  anoiher, 
and  driving  in  posts  to  keep  them  from  rolling.  The  under 
saj)ling  we  raised  ahoul  eighteen  iiu'hes,  and  set  so  that  on 
the  raccoon's  t(tuching  a  string,  or  a  small  piece  of  hark,  the 
feaj)ling  would  fall  and  kill  it;  and  lest  the  raiioon  should  puss 
by,  we  laid  brush  on  both  sides  of  the  run,  oidy  leaving  the 
channel  open. 

The  fox  traps  we  made  nearly  in  the  same  manner,  ai  the 
end  of  a  hollow  log,  or  opposite  to  a  hole  at  the  root  of  a  hol- 
low tree,  and  put  venison  on  a  slick  for  bail ;  we  had  it  so  set 
that  when  the  fox  took  hold  of  the  irieal  the  trap  fell.  While 
the  squaws  were  employed  in  making  sugar,  the  boys  and  men 
were  engaged  in  huntii.g  and  trapping. 

About  the  latter  end  of  March,  we  began  to  prepare  for 
moving  into  town,  in  order  to  plant  corn.  The  scpjaws  were 
then  frying  the  last  of  their  bear's  fat,  and  nuiking  vessels  to 
hold  it:  the  vessels  were  made  of  deer-skins,  which  were 
skinned  by  pulling  the  skin  off  the  neck,  without  rippitig. 
After  they  had  taken  off  the  hair,  they  gathered  it  in  small 
plaits  round  tlie  neck  and  with  a  siring  drew  it  together  like  a 
purse;  in  the  centre  a  j)in  was  put,  below  \vliich  they  tied  a 
String,  and  v/hile  it  was  wet  they  blew  it  up  like  a  bladder, 
and  let  it  remain  in  this  manner  until  it  was  dry,  when  it  ap- 
peared nearly  in  the  shape  of  a  sugar  loaf,  but  more  rouiiding 
at  the  lower  end.  One  of  these  vessels  would  hold  about  four 
or  five  gallons.  In  these  vessels  it  was  they  carried  their  bear's 
oil. 

When  all  things  were  ready,  we  moved  back  to  the  falls  of 
Canesadooharie.  In  this  route  the  land  is  chiefly  first  and 
second  rate ;  but  too  much  meadow  ground,  in  proportion  to 
the  upland.  The  timber  is  white  ash,  elm,  black  oak,  cherry, 
buckeye,  sugar  tree,  lynn,  mulberry,  beech,  white  oak,  hick- 
ory, wild  apple  tree,  red  haw,  black  haw,  and  spicewood  bushes. 
There  is  in  some  places  spots  of  beech  limber,  which  spots 
may  be  called  third  rate  land.  Buckeye,  sugar  tree  and  spice- 
wood are  common  in  the  woods  here.  There  is  in  some 
places  large  swamps  too  wet  for  any  use. 

On  our  arrival  at  the  falls,  (as  we  had  brought  with  us  on 


[)( (1  was 

svvt'cl  as 

\('iM>on. 

raccouii.'s, 

iciits  the 

\v>'  iiiiule 

aiKitlior, 

ilO     UluliT 

)  that  oil 
hark,  the 
ouKI  pass 
iivin<;  the 

.T,  a  I    I  ho 

ol  a  hol- 

.  it  !«»)  set 

.     While 

ami  men 

ejiare    for 

ivvs   wore 

vessels  to 

ich    w(^re 

,   rip)Hi)g. 

in  Mimll 

tr  like  a 

;y  tied  a 

bladder, 

ell  it  ap- 

•oiihding 

)()ut  lour 

leir  bear's 

e  falls  of 
(lr^t  and 

)ortit)ii  to 
,  cherry, 
ak.  hick- 

d  bushes. 

ich    spots 

11  id  spice- 
in   some 

ith  us  on 


COL(».\KL  SMITH'S  CArTIVI'lV. 


199 


horseback  about  two  huiidrrd  uiml'Iii  of  >u«jar,  a  larcie  (piaii- 
tity  of  bear's  oil,  skiii>.  \t".,)  the  t-aiioc  wo  had  buri»'d  is 
not  .sudiciciil  to  carry  iiH  ;  lh>T<'f(»rt'  wo  were  obli-^'-cd  to  make 
anolhiT  oiif  of  clin  bark.  While  Wf  lay  lure,  a  young  Wy- 
andot faiiiiil  my  bunks.  ()ii  ilii-  they  ctdlcctt'd  lo'jether;  I  was 
a  little  way  from  tlio  camp,  and  saw  the  collfclion,  but  did  not 
know  what  it  mraiit.  Tliry  calli-d  iru'  liy  uiy  Indian  name, 
which  was  Scoouwa,  r<'pcatf(||y.  I  ran  to  soo  what  was  ihr> 
matter;  thi'y  showed  nif  my  books,  ami  >aid  tiny  v.i'rr  (.rjjKJ 
they  had  brcn  found,  for  they  km-w  I  was  grieved  at  the  los.s 
of  them,  and  that  they  now  rejoiced  with  me  becaii-^e  they 
Were  found.  As  1  cotild  ilii'M  speak  some  Indian,  especially 
Caiiehin'waga,  (for  both  that  and  the  Wyandot  tongue  were 
spoken  in  this  camp,)  I  told  them  that  1  thanked  them  lor  the 
kindness  they  had  always  shown  to  me,  and  also  for  finding 
my  books.  They  asked  if  the  books  were  damaged.  I  told 
them  not  mindi.  They  then  showed  how  they  lay,  which  was 
in  the  best  manner  to  turn  rill' the  water.  In  a  deer-skin  pouch 
they  lay  all  winter.  The  print  was  not  nuudi  injured,  though 
the  binding  was.  This  was  the  first  time  that  I  felt  my  heart 
warm  towards  tlu;  Indians.  Thoni;li  ihey  had  Ijeeii  exceed- 
ingly kind  to  me,  I  still  before  detested  them,  on  account  of 
the  barbarity  I  beheld  after  liraddock's  defeat.  NeitluT  had  I 
ever  before  preleiuled  kindness,  or  expressed  mys(df  in  a 
friendly  manner;  but  I  began  now  to  excuse  the  Indians  on 
account  of  their  want  of  information. 

When  we  were  ready  to  embark,  Tontileaugo  would  not  go 
to  town,  but  go  up  the  river,  and  take  a  hunt.  He  asked  me 
if  I  choosed  to  go  with  him.  I  told  him  I  did.  We  then  got 
SOUK!  sugar,  bear's  oil  bottled  ii|)  in  a  bear's  gut,  jind  some  dry 
venison,  Avhich  we  paidced  iij),  and  w>rit  up  C'anevadoohario, 
ahoul  thirty  miles,  and  encamped.  At  this  lime  I  did  not 
know  either  the  day  of  the  week  or  the  month  ;  but  I  sup- 
posed it  to  he  about  the  lirsi  of  April.  We  had  considerable 
success  in  our  business.  We  also  found  some  stray  horses,  or 
a  horse,  mare,  and  a  young  coll;  and  thouirh  they  had  run  in 
the  woods  all  winter,  they  were  in  exceeding  good  order. 
There  is  plenty  of  grass  here  all  winter,  under  the  snow,  and 
horses  accustomed  to  the  woods  can  work  it  out.  These  horses 
had  run  in  the  woods  until  they  were  very  wild. 

Tontileaugo  one  night  coiududed  that  we  must  run  them 
down.  I  told  him  I  thouehi  we  could  not  accomplish  it.  He 
.said  he  had  run  down  bears,  buffaloes,  and  elks  ;  and  in  the 
great  plains,  with  only  a  small  snow  on  the  grotind,  he  had  run 
down  a  deer  ;  and  he  thought  that  in  one  whole  day  he  could 
tire  or  nin  down  any  four-footed  animal  except  a  wolf.     I  told 


i 


»i  m 


200 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


him  that  though  a  deer  was  the  swiftest  animal  to  ran  a  short 
distance,  yet  it  would  tire  sooner  than  a  horse.  lie  said  he 
would  at  all  events  try  the  experiment.  He  had  hefrd  the 
VVyandots  say  that  I  could  run  well,  and  now  he  would  see 
whether  I  could  or  not.  .1  told  him  that  I  never  had  run  all 
day,  and  of  course  was  not  accustoined  to  that  way  of  miming'. 
1  never  had  run  with  the  Wyandoto  more  than  seven  or  eight 
miles  at  one  time.  Ke  said  that  was  nothing,  we  must  either 
catch  these  horses  or  run  all  day. 

In  the  morning  early  we  left  camp,  and  about  sunrise  we 
started  after  them,  stripped  naked  excepting  breech-clouts  and 
moccasins.  About  ten  o'clock  I  lost  sight  of  both  Tontileaugo 
and  the  horses,  and  did  not  see  them  again  until  about  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  As  the  horses  run  all  day  in  about 
three  or  four  miles  sc^uare,  at  length  they  passed  where  I  was, 
and  I  fell  In  close  after  them.  As  I  then  had  a  long  rest,  I 
endeav^ored  to  ivoep  ahead  of  Tontileaugo,  and  after  some  time 
I  could  hear  him  after  me  calling  chakoh,  chakoanaiigh,  which 
signifies,  pull  away  or  do  your  best.  We  pursued  on,  and  after 
some  lime  Tontileaugo  passed  me,  and  about  an  hour  before 
sundown  we  despaired  of  catching  these  horses,  and  returned 
to  camp,  where  we  had  left  our  clothes. 

I  reminded  Tontileaugo  of  what  I  had  told  him;  he  replied 
he  did  not  know  what  horses  could  do.  They  are  wonderful 
strong  to  run ;  but  withal  we  made  them  very  tired.  Tonti- 
leaugo tiien  concluded  he  would  do  as  the  Indians  did  Avith 
wild  horses  when  out  at  war :  which  is  to  shoot  them  through 
the  neck  under  the  mane,  and  above  the  bone,  which  will 
cause  them  to  fall  and  lie  until  they  can  halter  them,  and  then 
they  recover  again.  This  he  attempted  to  do ;  but  as  the 
mare  was  very  wild,  he  could  not  get  sufficiently  nigh  to  shoot 
her  in  the  proper  place ;  howf  ^er,  he  shot,  the  ball  passed  too 
low,  and  killed  her.  As  the  horse  and  colt  stayed  at  this 
place,  we  caught  the  horse,  and  took  him  and  the  colt  with  us 
to  camp. 

We  stayed  at  this  camp  about  iwo  weeks,  and  killed  a  num- 
ber of  bears,  raccoons,  and  some  beavers.  We  made  a  canoe 
of  elm  bark,  and  Tontileaugo  embarked  in  it.  He  arrived  at, 
the  falls  that  night;  whilst  I,  mounted  on  horseback,  with  a 
bear-skin  saddle  and  bark  stirrups,  proceeded  by  land  to  the 
falls.  I  came  there  the  next  morning,  and  we  carried  our 
canoe  and  loading  past  the  falls. 

The  river  is  very  rapid  for  some  distance  above  the  falls, 
which  are  about  twelve  or  fifteen  feet,  nearly  perpendicular. 
This  river,  called  Canesadooharie,  interlocks  with  the  West 
Branch  of  Muskingum,  runs  nearly  a  north  course,  and  emp- 


A 


■1^ 


i 


m  a  short 
Ic  said  he 
ho?rd  the 
vould  see 
id  run  all 
r  running, 
n  or  eight 
mst  eilher 

sunrise  we 
clouts  and 
ontilcaugo 
ibout  three 
,y  in  about 
lere  I  was, 
.ong  rest,  I 
some  time 
igh,  which 
1,  and  after 
lour  before 
id  returned 

he  replied 

wonderful 
d.  Tonti- 
;is  did  with 
!m  through 
which  will 
1,  and  then 
but  as  the 
ofli  to  shoot 

passed  too 
/cd  at  this 

olt  with  us 

ed  a  num- 
de  a  canoe 
arrived  at, 
ick,  with  a 
and  to  the 
carried  our 

the  falls, 
pendicular. 

the  West 
J,  and  einp- 


COLONEL   SMITHS  CAPTIVITY. 


201 


ties  into  the   south   side  of  lake  Erie,  about  eight  miles  east 
from  Sandusky,  or  betwixt  Sandusky  and  Cayabaga. 

On  this  last  route  the  land  is  nearly  tbe  same  as  that  last 
described,  only  there  is  not  >(>  much  swainpy  or  wet  o-rouiid. 

We  again  proceeded  loward:5  \\\v  lake,  1  on  borsel)ack,  and 
Tontilear.LTO  ,  water.  Here  the  land  is  generally  good,  but 
I  found  some  ditiicu.(y  in  getting  round  swamps  and  ponds. 
Wheu  we  came  to  tbe  lake,  1  proceeded  ixUnv^  ibe  strand,  and 
Tonlileaugo  near  ibe  sbore,  somelimes  piuklling,  ;uui  some- 
times poleing  bis  canoe  aUjug. 

After  some  lime  tbe  wind  arose,  and  be  went  into  ibe  moiilb 
of  a  small  ''reek  and  encamped.  Mere  we  slaid  several  days 
on  accomil  of  bigb  wind,  wbicb  raised  tbe  lake  in  great  bil- 
lows. Willie  we  were  here,  Tonlileaugo  went  out  to  bunl, 
and  wben  be  was  gone  a  Wyandot  came  to  our  camp;  1  gave 
bim  a  sboulder  of  venison  wbicb  1  bad  by  tbe  lire  well  roasted, 
and  be  received  it  giadly,  told  me  be  was  hungry,  and  tbaidced 
me  bn-  my  kindness.  W'ben  Tonlileaugo  came  borne,  1  told 
him  that  a  Wyandot  bad  been  at  camp,  and  ibat  I  gave  him  a 
shoulder  of  roasted  venison  ;  be  said  that  was  very  well,  and 
I  suppose  you  gave  him  also  sugar  and  bear's  oil  to  eat  with 
his  venison.  I  told  him  1  did  not ;  as  tbe  sugar  and  bear's  oil 
was  down  in  tbe  canoe  I  iliil  not  go  for  it.  He  replied,  you 
have  bebaved  just  bkc  a  Dutchman.^  Do  you  not  know  that 
wben  strangers  come  to  our  can\p  we  ought  always  to  give 
them  tbe  best  ibat  we  have?  I  acknowledged  tbat  1  was  wrong. 
He  said  tbat  be  could  excuse  tins,  as  1  was  but  young;  but  I 
nmst  learn  to  bebave  like  a  warrior,  and  do  great  tilings,  and 
never  be  found  in  any  such  little  actions. 

The  lake  being  again  calni,t  we  proceeded,  and  arrived  safe 
at  Sunyendeand,  wbicb  was  a  Wyandot  town  tbat  lay  upon  a 
small  creek  wbicb  eniplies  into  tbe  lillle  lake  below  tbe  mouth 
of  Sandusky. 

Tbe  town  was  about  eighty  rood  above  tbe  moutb  of  the 
creek,  on  the  south  siile  of  a  larii:e  plain,  o.'  wbicb  lindjcr 
grew,  and  notbing  more  but  grass  or  nellies.  In  some  places 
there  were  large  flats  wberc  notbing  but  grass  grew,  about 
tbree  feet  high  when  grown,  and   in  otber  places  nothing  but 


nettles,  very  rank,  where  the  soil  is  extremely  ric.i  and  loose; 
here  they  planted  corn.     In   ibis  town  there  Avere  also  French 


trad( 


and  1 


ur,  a 


nd 


we  a 


11  "Ot 


new 


ers,  who  purcliased  our  skms 
clothes,  paint,  tobacco,  &;c. 

*  Tho  Dutch  ho  called  Skoharchtuigo,  which  look  its  derivation  Irom  a 
Dutch  seUlcineiit  c-allod  Skoha'.ey. 

t  The  lake,  when  calm,  appears  to  be  of  a  sky-blue  color  ;  though  when 
lified  in  a  vessel  it  is  like  other  clear  water. 


rt 


i  i 


M 


Pi  i- 
!! 


i? 


I 


202 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   CAPTIVITY. 


After  I  had  got  my  new  clothes,  and  my  head  done  off  like 
a  red-headed  woodpecker,  1,  in  company  with  a  number  of 
youniif  Indians,  went  down  to  the  corn-field  to  see  the  sqnaAVS 
at  work.  When  we  came  there  they  asked  me  to  take  a  hoe, 
which  I  did,  and  hoed  for  some  time.  The  scjuaws  applauded 
me  as  a  good  hand  at  the  business  ;  but  when  1  returned  to 
the  town  the  old  men,  hearing  of  what  I  had  done,  chid  me,  and 
said  that  I  was  adopted  in  the  place  of  a  great  man,  and  inust 
not  hoe  corn  like  a  squaw.  They  never  had  occasion  to 
reprov^e  me  for  any  thing  like  this  again  ;  as  I  never  was 
extremely  fond  of  work,  I  readily  complied  with  their  orders. 

As  the  Indians  on  their  return  from  their  winuT  hunt  bring 
in  witji  them  large  quantities  of  bear's  oil,  sugar,  dried  veni- 
son, &c,,  at  this  time  they  have  plenty,  and  do  not  spare  eating 
or  giving ;  thus  they  make  way  with  their  provision  as  quick 
as  possible.  They  have  no  such  thing  as  regular  meals, 
breakfast,  dinner,  or  sup])er  ;  but  if  any  one,  even  the  town 
folks,  would  go  to  the  same  house  several  times  in  one  day, 
he  would  be  invited  to  eat  of  thi  best ;  and  with  them  it  is  bad 
manners  to  refuse  to  eat  when  it  is  ottered.  If  they  will  not 
eat  it  is  interpreted  as  a  symptom  of  displeasure,  or  that  the 
persons  refusing  to  eat  were  angry  with  those  who  invited 
them. 

At  this  time  homony,  plentifully  mixed  with  bear's  oil  and 
sugar,  or  dried  venison,  bear's  oil,  and  sugar,  is  what  they  offer 
to  every  one  who  comes  in  any  time  of  the  day  ;  and  so  they 
go  on  until  their  sugar,  bear's  oil,  and  venison  are  all  gone, 
and  then  they  have  to  eat  homony  by  itself,  without  bread, 
salt,  or  any  thing  else;  yet  still  they  invite  every  one  that 
comes  in  to  eat  whilst  they  have  any  thing  to  give.  It  is 
thought  a  shame  not  to  invite  people  to  eat  while  they  have 
any  thing;  but  if  they  can  in  truth  only  say  we  have  got 
nothing  to  cat,  this  is  accepted  as  an  honorable  apology.  All 
the  hunters  and  warriors  continued  in  town  about  six  weeks 
after  we  came  in  ;  they  spent  this  time  in  painting,  going  from 
house  to  house,  eating,  smoking,  and  playing  at  a  game  resem- 
bling dice,  or  hustle-cap.  They  put  a  number  of  plum-stones 
in  a  small  bowl;  one  side  of  each  stone  is  black,  and  the  other 
white;  they  then  shake  or  hustle  the  bowl,  cnWluii:,  kits,  hits, 
hits,  honesty,  honescy,  rago,  I'ago ;  which  signifies  calling  for 
white  or  black,  or  what  they  wish  to  turn  up ;  they  then  turn 
the  bowl,  and  count  the  whites  and  blacks.  Some  were  beat- 
ing tlieir  kind  of  drum  and  singing;  others  were  employed  in 
playing  on  a  sort  of  flute  made  of  hollow  cane ;  and  others 
playing  on  the  jew's-harp.  Some  part  of  this  time  was  also 
taken  up  in  attending  the  council  house,  where  the  chiefs,  and 


\ 


a! 


COLONEL   SMITH'S    CAPTIVITY. 


203 


Dne  off  like 
number  of 
the  squaAVS 
take  a  hoe, 
s  applauded 
returned  to 
hid  nie,  and 
1,  and  must 
occasion  to 
never  was 
eir  orders. 
■  hunt  bring- 
dried  veni- 
spare  eating 
on  as  quick 
fular  meals, 
Ml  the  town 
in  one  day, 
em  it  is  bad 
liey  will  not 
,  or  that  the 
who  invited 

jar's  oil  and 
at  they  offer 
and  so  they 
re  all  rrone, 
ihout  bread, 
ry  one  that 
fjive.  It  is 
e  they  have 
,'e  have  got 
)ology.  All 
It  six  weeks 
•,  g'oing'  from 
^ame  resem- 
plum-stones 
nd  the  other 
ig,  hits,  hits, 
s  calling  for 
cy  then  turn 
e  were  beat- 
employed  in 
;  and  others 
me  was  also 
e  chiefs,  and 


I 

% 


as  many  others  as  chose,  attended  ;  and  nl  niirht  they  were 
frequently  (Muployed  in  sitiging  and  dancing.  Towards  the 
last  of  this  time,  which  was  in  June,  17-3(5,  they  were  all  en- 
gaged in  preparing  to  go  to  war  against  the  frontiers  of  Vir- 
ginia. When  they  were  equipped,  they  went  through  their 
ceremonies,  siuig  their  war-songs,  &c.  They  ;ill  marched  off, 
from  fifteen  to  sixty  years  of  age  ;  and  some  boys,  only  twelve 
years  old,  were  e([uipped  with  their  l»ows  and  arrows,  and 
went  to  war;  so  that  none  were  left  in  town  but  s(iuaws  an.d 
children,  except  myself,  one  very  old  man,  and  another,  about 
fifty  years  of  age,  who  was  lame. 

The  Indians  w'ere  then  in  great  hopes  that  they  would  drive 
all  the  Virginians  over  the  lake,  which  is  all  the  name  they 
know  for  the  sea.  Tliey  had  some  cause  for  this  hope,  be- 
cause, at  this  time,  the  Americans  were  altogether  unac- 
quainted with  war  of  any  kind,  and  conse(iuently  very  unfit  to 
stand  their  hand  with  such  subtle  enemit's  as  the  Indians  were. 
The  two  old  Indians  asked  me  if  I  did  not  thirds  that  the 
Indians  and  French  would  subdue  all  America,  except  New- 
England,  which  they  said  they  had  tried  in  old  times.  I  told 
them  1  thought  not.  They  said  they  had  already  drove  them 
all  out  of  the  mountains,  and  had  chiefly  laid  waste  the  great 
valley  betwixt  the  North  and  South  mountain,  from  Potomac 
to  James  river,  which  is  a  considerable  part  of  the  best  land 
in  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Pennsylvania,  and  that  the  white 
peo[)ie  appeared  to  them  like  fools  ;  they  could  neither  guard 
against  surjirise,  run,  nor  fight.  These,  they  said,  were  their 
reasons  for  saying  that  they  would  subdue  the  whites.  They 
asked  me  to  otter  my  reasons  for  my  opinion,  and  told  me  to 
speak  my  mind  freely.  I  told  them  that  the  white  people  to 
the  east  were  very  numerous,  like  the  trees,  and  though  they 
appeared  to  them  to  be  fools,  as  they  were  not  ac([uainted  with 
their  way  of  war,  yet  they  were  not  fools  ;  therefore,  after  some 
time,  they  will  learn  your  mode  of  war,  and  turn  upon  you,  or 
at  least  defenil  themselves.  I  found  that  the  old  men  them- 
selves did  not  believe  they  could  conquer  America,  yet  they 
were  wilting  to  propagate  the  idea  in  order  to  encourage  the 
young  men  to  go  to  war. 

When  the  warriors  left  this  town,  we  had  neither  meat, 
sugar,  or  bear's  oil  left.  All  that  we  had  then  to  live  on  was 
corn  pounded  into  coarse  meal  or  small  homony ;  this  they 
boiled  in  water,  which  appeared  like  well  thickened  soup, 
without  salt  or  any  thing  else.  For  some  time  we  had  plenty 
of  this  kind  of  homony  ;  at  length  we  were  brought  to  very 
short  allowance,  and  as  the  warriors  did  not  return  as  soon  as 
they  expected,  we  were  in  a  starving  condition,  and  but  one 


II 


Ill 


t 


204 


COLONEL    SMITH'S  CAniVITY. 


gun  in  the  town,  and  vpry  little  ammunition.  The  old  lame 
Wyandot  conchided  tiiat  lie  would  vo  a  liuntint^  in  a  canoe, 
and  take  ine  with  hiu),  and  try  to  kill  dfcr  in  the  water,  as  it 
was  then  waterinti:  time.  We  went  up  Sandu.-k'y  a  few  miles, 
then  turned  up  a  creek  and  mcanipfd.  \V^.>  had  liyhts  pre- 
pared, as  we  were  to  huiU  in  the  nii;ht.  an*!  also  a  piece  of 
bark  and  sonu;  l)ushes  set  up  in  the  canoe,  in  order  to  conceal 
ours(dves  from  the  deer.  A  little  boy  that  was  with  us  held 
the  liijht;  I  worked  the  canoe,  and  the  old  man,  who  had  his 
gun  loaded  with  lar^e  shot,  when  we  came  near  the  deer,  fired, 
and  in  this  manner  killed  three  deer  in  part  of  one  night.  We 
went  to  our  fire,  ate  heartily,  and  in  the  morning  returned  to 
town  in  order  to  relieve  the  hungry  and  distressed. 

When  we  came  to  town  the  children  were  crying  bitterly  on 
account  of  pinching  hunger.  We  delivered  what  we  had  taken, 
and  though  it  was  but  little  among  so  many,  it  was  divided 
according  to  the  strictest  rules  of  justice.  We  immediately  set 
out  for  another  hunt,  but  before  we  returned  a  part  of  the  war- 
riors had  come  in,  and  brought  with  them  on  horseback  a 
quail  ity  of  meat.  These  warriors  had  divided  into  different 
parties,  and  all  struck  at  dilferent  places  in  Augusta  county. 
They  brought  in  with  them  a  considerable  number  of  scalps, 
prisoners,  Jiorses,  and  other  plunder.  One  of  the  parties 
brought  in  with  them  one  Artlmr  Campbell,  that  is  now  Colo- 
nel Cam])bell,  who  lives  on  Holston  river,  near  the  Royal 
Oak.  As  the  Wyandots  at  Sunyendeand  and  those  at  JDe- 
troit  were  connected,  i\lr.  Cam{)bell  was  taken  to  Detroit; 
but  he  remained  some  time  with  me  in  this  town.  His  com- 
pany was  very  agreeable,  and  I  was  sorry  when  he  left  me. 
During  his  stay  at  Sunyendeaiul  he  borrowed  my  Bible,  and 
made  some  pertinent  remarks  on  what  he  had  read.  One 
passage  was  where  it  is  said,  "  It  is  good  for  man  that  he 
bear  the  yoke  in  his  youth."  He  said  we  ought  to  be  re- 
signed to^the  will  of  Providence,  as  we  were  now  bearing 
the  yoke  in  our  youth.  Mr.  Campbell  appeared  to  be  then 
about  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  of  age. 

,  There  was  a  number  of  prisoners  bronglit  in  by  these 
parties,  and  when  they  were  to  run  the  gauntlet  I  went  and 
told  them  how  they  were  to  act.  One  John  Savage  was 
brought  in,  a  middle-aged  man,  or  about  forty  years  old.  He 
was  to  run  the  gauntlet.  I  told  him  what  he  had  to  do;  and 
after  this  I  fell  into  one  of  the  ranks  with  the  Indians  shouting 
and  yelling  like  them;  and  as  they  were  not  very  severe  on 
him,  as  he  passed  me,  I  hit  him  with  a  piece  of  pumpkin, 
which  pleased  the  Indians  much,  but  hurt  my  feelings. 

About  the  lime  that  these  warriors  came  in,  the  green  corn 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


205 


"he  old  lame 
in  u  canoe, 
water,  as  it 
a  fow  miles, 
1  \\<j\\\<  pre- 
^o  a  \)iece  of 
tr  to  conceal 
,vitli  us  held 
who  had  his 
ie  deer,  fired, 
^  night.  We 
r  returned  to 
I. 

\g  bitterly  on 
;e  had  taken, 
L  was  divided 
mediately  set 
rt  of  thd  war- 
horseback  a 
into  diderent 
pusia  county, 
ber  of  scalps, 
the   parties 
IS  now  Colo- 
IV  the  Royal  • 
those  at  De- 
1    to   Detroit; 
n.     His  com- 
1   he  left  me. 
ny  Bible,  and 
read.     One 
man  that  he 
n-ht  to  be  re- 
now  bearing 
d   to  be  then 

in  by  these 
et  I  went  and 
Savage  was 
oars  old.  He 
lul  to  do  ;  and 
ians  shouting 
ery  severe  on 
?  of  pumpkin, 
elings. 
he  green  corn 


was  beginning  to  be  of  use,  so  that  we  had  either  green  corn 
or  venison,  and  sometiines  both,  whioh  was,  comparatively, 
high  living.  Wiien  we  couhl  iiave  pk'uty  of  ufreen  corn,  or 
roasting  ears,  the  hunters  became  lazy,  and  spent  their  time, 
as  already  mentioned,  in  singing  and  dancing,  cVc,  They  ap- 
peared to  be  fnllilling  the  scriptures  beyond  tho^e  who  juofess 
to  believe  them,  in  that  of  taking  no  thought  of  to-morrow  ; 
and  also  in  living  in  love,  peace,  and  friendshij)  together, 
without  disputes.  In  this  respect  they  shame  those  who  pro- 
fess Christianity. 

In  this  manner  we  lived  until  October;  then  the  geese, 
swans,  ducks,  cranes,  ice,  came  from  the  north,  ajid  alighted 
on  this  little  lake,  without  number,  or  innumerable.  Sunyen- 
deand  is  a  remarkable  place  for  hsh  in  the  spring,  and  fowl 
both  in  the  fall  and  spring. 

As  our  hunters  were  uow  tired  with  indolence,  and  fond  of 
their  own  kind  of  exercise,  they  all  turned  out  to  fowling,  and 
in  this  could  scarce  miss  of  success  ;  so  that  we  had  now 
plenty  of  homony  and  the  best  of  fowls ;  and  sometimes,  as  a 
rarity,  we  had  a  little  bread,  which  was  made  of  Indian  corn 
meal,  pounded  in  a  homony  block,  mixed  with  boiled  beans, 
and  baked  in  cakes  under  the  ashes. 

This  with  us  was  called  good  living,  though  not  equal  to  our 
fat,  roasted,  and  boiled  venison,  when  we  went  to  the  woods 
in  the  fall ;  or  bear's  meat  and  beaver  in  the  winter ;  or  sugar, 
bear's  oil,  and  dry  venison  in  the  spring. 

Some  time  in  October,  another  adopted  brother,  older  than 
Tontileaugo,  came  to  pay  us  a  visit  at  Sunyendeand,  and  he 
asked  me  to  take  a  hunt  with  him  on  Cayahaga.  As  they 
always  used  me  as  a  free  man,  and  gave  me  the  liberty  of 
choosing,  I  told  him  that  I  was  attached  to  Tontileaugo,  had 
never  seen  him  before,  and  therefore  asked  some  time  to  con- 
sider of  this.  Ho  told  me  that  the  party  he  was  going  with 
would  not  be  along,  or  at  the  mouth  of  this  little  lake,  in  less 
than  six  days,  and  I  could  in  this  time  be  acquainted  with 
him,  and  judge  for  myself.  I  consulted  with  Tontileaugo  on 
this  occasion,  and  he  told  me  that  our  old  broi'ier  Tecaugh- 
retanego  (which  was  his  name)  was  a  chief,  and  a  better  man 
than  he  was,  and  if  I  went  with  him  I  might  expect  to  be 
well  used  ;  but  he  said  I  might  do  as  I  pleaserV  and  if  I  staid 
he  would  use  me  as  he  had  done.  I  told  hnu  that  he  had 
acted  in  every  respect  as  a  brother  to  me  ;  yet  I  was  much 
pleased  with  my  old  brother's  conduct  and  conversation  ;  and 
as  he  was  going  to  a  part  of  the  country  I  had  never  been 
in,  I  wished  to  go  with  him.  He  said  that  he  was  perfectly 
willing. 

18 


i  i 


if 


h      i 


206 


COLOXEL   SMFTirS   CAPTIVITY 


I  then  u'ciit  with  Tfi-auL^lirotaiioiro  to  ilip  inouth  of  tlie 
little  laki',  where  he  met  with  the  company  he  mteiuled  pning 
wiih,  wliich  was  composfd  of  Cai:<jhnr\va<4;is  and  Ottawas. 
Here  1  was  iiitroihiced  to  a  Caiii^hmnvar^a  si>t,er,  and  others 
I  had  never  hefore  :^eeii.  My  .sister's  name  vrab  Mary,  which 
they  pronou!iccd  Ma?'////.  J  aslced  Tecaun'liretaiien'o  how  it 
caine  that  slie  had  an  Eiiuli>li  name.  He  said  tliat  he  did  not 
know  that  it  Avas  an  English  name  ;  but  it  was  th(.'  name  the 
priest  gave  her  when  she  Avas  baptized,  which  he  said  was 
the  name  of  the  motlier  of  Jesus.  He  said  there  were  a  gvnai 
manv  of  the  Cann^hncwajras  and  Wvandots  that  were  a  kind 
of  half  Roman  Catholics;  but  as  for  himself,  he  said,  that 
the  priest  and  him  could  not  agree,  as  they  held  notions  ihat 
contradicted  both  sense  and  reason,  and  had  the  assurance  to 
tell  him  that  the  book  of  God  taug-ht  them  these  foolish  ab- 
surdities :  but  he  conld  not  believe  the  great  and  good  S]niit 
ever  taught  them  any  such  nonsense  ;  and  therefore  he  con- 
cluded that  the  Indians'  old  religion  was  better  than  this  new 
way  of  worshipping  God. 

The  Ottawas  have  a  very  useful  kind  of  tents  Avhich  they 
carry  with  them,  made  of  flags,  plaited  and  stitched  together 
in  a  very  artful  mann-^r,  so  as  to  turn  rain  or  wind  well — each 
mat  is  made  fifteen  feet  long,  and  about  five  feet  broad.  In 
order  to  erect  this  kind  of  tent,  they  cut  a  number  of  long 
straight  poles,  which  they  drive  in  the  ground,  in  form  of  a 
circle,  leaning  inwards ;  then  they  spread  the  mats  on  these 
poles,  beginning  at  the  bottom  and  extending  up,  leaving 
only  a  hole  in  the  top  uncovered,  and  this  hole  answers  the 
place  of  a  chimney.  They  make  a  fire  of  dry  split  wood  in 
the  middle,  and  spread  down  bark  mats  and  skins  for  bedding, 
on  which  they  sleep  in  a  crooked  posture  all  round  the  fire, 
as  the  length  of  their  beds  will  not  admit  of  stretching  them- 
selves. In  place  of  a  door  they  lift  up  one  end  of  a  mat  and 
creep  in,  and  let  the  mat  fall  down  behind  them. 

These  tents  are  w\arm  and  dry,  and  tolerably  clear  of  smoke. 
Their  lumber  they  keep  under  birch-bark  canoes,  which  they 
carry  out  and  turn  up  for  a  shelter,  where  they  keep  every 
thing  from  the  rain.  Nothing  is  in  the  tenis  but  themselves 
and  their  bedding. 

This  company  had  four  birch  canoes  and  four  tents.  We 
were  kindly  received,  and  they  gave  us  plenty  of  homony, 
and  wild  fowl  boilet  and  roasted.  As  the  geese,  ducks, 
swano,  &c.,  here  are  well  grain-fed,  they  were  remarkably 
fat,  especially  the  green-necked  ducks. 

The  wild  fowl  here  feed  upon  a  kind  of  wild  rice  that 


nuth   of  the 

liiltMl   L^ninrj- 

id   Olliiwas. 

and  others 

lary,  which 

KV'^o   how  it 

I  lir  (lid  not 

ic  name  the 

le  siiid  Avas 

verc  a  qroai 

were  a  kind 

said,  that 

notions  ihat 

ssu ranee  to 

3  foolish  ab- 

good  Sp.iit 

"ore  he  con- 

an  this  new 

Avhich  they 
ed  together 

well — each 

broad.  In 
iber  of  long 
n  form  of  a 
Its  on  these 

up,  leaving 
answers  the 
plit  wood  in 
for  bedding, 
md  the  hre, 
ching  them- 
f  a  mat  and 

ir  of  smoke, 
which  they 
keep  every 

,  themselves 

tents.     "We 

of  homony, 

;ese,  ducks, 

remarkably 


COLONEL  SMITH'S   CAPTIVITY. 


207 


nee 


that 


grows  spontaneously  in  the  shallow  water,  or  wet  places  along 
thj  sides  or  in  the  corners  of  the  lakes. 

As  the  wind  was  hiirh  and  we  could  not  proceed  on  our 
voyage,  we  remained  here  several  days,  and  killed  abundance 
of  wild  fowl,  and  a  numh(M'  of  raccoons. 

When  a  company  of  Indians  are  moving  together  on  the 
lak.  ,  a'^  it  is  at  this  f'me  of  the  year  often  dangerous  sailing, 
the  old  n'len  hold  a  council ;  and  when  they  agree  to  emi»ark, 
every  one  is  eniraged  immediately  in  making  ready,  without 
offering  one  word  against  the  measure,  though  the  lake  may 
be  boisterous  and  horrid.  One  morning,  tlioun:h  the  wind  ap- 
peared to  me  to  be  as  high  as  in  days  ]>ast,  and  the  billows 
rajTing,  yet  the  call  was  given  yoholi-ijoJiok^  which  was  ([uickly 
answered  by  all — ooh-onh,  which  signifies  agreed.  We  were 
all  instantly  engaged  in  preparing  to  start,  and  had  considera- 
ble diilicultif's  in  embarking. 

As  soon  as  we  got  into  our  canoes  we  fell  to  paddling  with 
till  our  mi^fht,  making  out  from  the  shore.  Though  these  sort 
of  canoes  ride  waves  beyond  what  could  be  expected,  yet  the 
water  several  times  dashed  into  them.  When  we  got  out 
about  half  a  mile  from  shore,  we  hoisted  sail,  and  as  it  was 
nearly  a  west  wind,  v/e  then  seemed  to  ride  the  waves  with 
ease,  and  went  on  at  a  rapid  rate.  We  then  all  laid  down  our 
paddles,  excepting  one  that  steered,  and  there  was  no  water 
dashed  into  our  canoes  until  we  came  near  the  shore  again. 
We  sailed  about  sixty  miles  that  day,  and  encamped  some 
time  before  night. 

The  next  day  we  again  embarked,  and  went  on  very  well 
for  some  time  ;  but  the  lake  being  boisterous,  and  the  wind 
not  fair,  we  were  obliged  to  make  to  shore,  which  we  accom- 
plished with  hard  work  and  some  difficulty  in  landing.  The 
next  morning  a  council  was  held  by  the  old  men. 

As  we  had  this  day  to  pass  by  a  long  precipice  of  rocks 
on  the  shore  about  nine  miles,  which  rendered  it  impossible 
for  UP  to  land,  though  the  wind  was  high  and  the  lake  rough, 
yet,  as  it  w^as  fair,  we  were  all  ordered  to  embark.  We 
wrought  ourselves  out  from  the  shore  and  hoisted  sail,  (what 
we  used  in  place  of  sail-cloth  were  our  tent  mats,  which  an- 
swered the  purpose  very  well,)  and  went  on  for  some  lime 
with  a  fair  wind,  until  we  were  opposite  to  the  precipice,  and 
then  it  turned  towards  the  shore,  and  we  began  to  fear  we 
should  be  cast  upon  the  rocks.  Two  of  the  canoes  were  con- 
siderably farther  out  from  the  rocks  than  the  canoe  I  was  in. 
Those  who  were  farthest  out  in  the  lake  did  not  let  down 
their  sails  until  they  had  passed  the  precipice;  but  as  wc 
were  nearer  the  rock,  we  were  obliged  to  lower  our  sails,  and 


208 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


paddle  with  all  our  uiii^Iil.  With  much  diHunilty  we  cleared 
nurse, ves  of  the  rock,  and  landed.  As  the  ollu-r  canoes  had 
landed  before  us,  there  were  immediately  runners  sent  off  to 
see  if  we  were  all  .safely  landed. 

This  niiiht  the  wind  ftdl,  and  the  next  morninir  tuo  lake 
was  tolerably  calm,  and  we  eiidjarUed  without  dilliculty,  and 
paddled  alon<^  near  the  shore,  until  we  came  to  the  mouth  of 
Cayaha;[>-a,  which  empties  into  lake  Erie  on  the  south  side, 
betwi.xt  Canesadooharic!  and  Presq'  Isle. 

We  turned  up  Cayalian^a  and  encamped,  where  we  staid 
and  liunted  for  several  days;  and  so  we  kept  moving  and 
hunting  until  we  came  to  the  forks  of  Cayahaga. 

This  is  a  very  gentle  river,  and  but  few  ripples,  or  swift 
running  places,  from  the  mouth  to  the  forks.  Deer  hero  were 
tolerably  plenty,  laroe  and  fat ;  but  bear  and  other  game 
scarce.  The  upland  is  hilly,  and  principally  second  and  third 
rate  land  ;  the  timber  chiefly  black  oak,  white  oak,  hickory, 
dogwood,  &c.  The  bottoms  are  rich  and  large,  and  the  tim- 
ber is  walnut,  locust,  mulberry,  sugar-tree,  red  haw,  black  haw, 
wild  apple-trees,  &c.  The  West  Branch  of  this  river  interlocks 
with  the  East  Branch  of  Muskingum,  and  the  East  Branch 
with  the  Big  Beaver  creek,  that  empties  into  the  Ohio  about 
thirty  miles  below  Pittsburgh. 

From  the  forks  of  Cayahaga  to  the  East  Branch  of  Musk- 
ingum there  is  a  carrying  place,  where  the  Indians  carry 
their  canoes,  &c.,  from  the  waters  of  lake  Erie  into  the  wa- 
ters of  the  Ohio. 

From  tne  forks  I  went  over  with  some  hunter.^  to  the  East 
Branch  of  Muskingum,  where  they  killed  several  deer,  a  num- 
ber of  beavers,  and  returned  heavy  laden  with  skins  and  meat, 
which  we  carried  on  our  backs,  as  we  iiad  no  horses. 

The  land  here  is  chiefly  second  and  third  rate,  and  the  tim- 
ber chiefly  oak  and  hickory.  A  little  above  the  forks,  on  the 
East  Branch  of  Cayahaga,  are  considerable  rapids,  very  rocky 
for  some  distance,  but  no  perpendicular  falls. 

About  the  first  of  December,  1756,  we  were  preparing  for 
leaving  the  river :  we  buried  our  canoes,  and  as  usual  hung 
up  our  skins,  and  every  one  had  a  pack  to  carry.  The  squaws 
also  packed  up  their  tents,  which  they  carried  in  lar<,e  rolls 
that  extended  up  above  their  heads,  and  though  a  great  bulk, 
yet  not  heavy.  We  steered  about  a  south-east  course,  and 
could  not  march  over  ten  miles  per  day.  At  night  we  lodged 
in  our  flag  tents,  which,  Avhen  erected,  were  nearly  in  the 
shape  of  a  sugar-loaf,  and  .about  fifteen  feet  diameter  at  the 
ground. 

In  this  manner  we  proceeded  about  forty  miles,  and  win- 


'% 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


209 


>ve  cleared 
anocs  luul 
sent  oil'  to 

T  tiiC  lake 
iciilly,  utul 
;  uioulh  of 
50Utli  side, 

3  we  staid 
lovinrr  and 

IS,  or  swift 
hero  were 
ither  i^ame 
I  and  third 
k,  hickory, 
lid  the  tim- 
hh)ck  liaw, 
r  interhicks 
ast  Branch 
Ohio  about 

1  of  Musk- 
ians  carry 
to  the  wa- 

to  the  East 
er,  a  nurn- 

i  and  meat, 
s. 

nd  the  tim- 

irks,  on  the 
very  rocky 

eparing  for 
usual  hung 
^'he  squaws 

lar«,e  rolls 
great  bulk, 
course,  and 

we  lodged 
arly  in  the 
etor  at  the 

3,  and  wiii- 


tered  in  these  tents,  on  the  waters  of  Beaver  creek,  near  a  little 
lake  or  large  poiu',  which  is  about  two  miles  long  and  out 
broad,  and  a  remarkable  place  for  beaver. 

It  is  a  received  opinion  among  the  Indians  that  the  geese 
turn  to  beavers,  and  the  snakes  to  raccoons;  and  though  Te- 
caughretanego,  who  was  a  wisv-  man,  was  not  fully  persuaded 
that  this  was  true,  yet  he  seemed  in  some;  measure  to  be  car- 
ried away  with  this  whimsical  notion.  He  said  that  this  pond 
had  been  always  a  great  plac<;  for  l)eaver.  Though  he  said 
he  knew  them  to  be  frecpieiuiy  all  killed,  (as  he  thought,)  yet 
the  next  winter  they  would  l)e  as  plenty  as  ever.  Ami  as  the 
beaver  was  an  animal  that  did  not  travel  by  Innd,  and  there 
being  no  water  communication  to  or  from  this  pond,  how 
could  s';  di  a  number  of  beavers  get  there  year  after  year  ?  But 
as  this  pond  was  also  a  considerable  place  for  geese,  when 
they  came  in  the  fall  from  the  north,  and  alighted  in  this  pond, 
they  turned  beavers,  all  but  the  feet,  which  remained  nearly 
the  same. 

I  said,  that  though  there  was  no  water  communication  in  or 
out  of  this  pond,  yet  it  appeared  that  it  was  fed  by  springs,  as 
it  was  always  clear,  and  never  stagnated ;  and  as  a  very  large 
spring  rose  about  a  mile  below  this  pond,  it  was  likely  that 
tliis  spring  came  from  this  pond.  In  the  fall,  when  this  spring 
is  comparatively  low,  there  would  be  air  under  ground  sufTi- 
cient  for  the  beavers  to  breathe  in,  with  their  heads  above 
water,  for  they  cannot  live  long  under  water,  and  so  they 
might  have  a  subterraneous  passage  by  water  into  this  pond. 
Tecaup-'.iretanego  granted  that  it  might  be  so. 

About  the  sides  of  this  pond  there  grew  great  abundance  of 
cranberries,  which  the  Indians  gathered  up  on  the  ice  when 
the  pond  was  frozen  over.  These  berries  were  about  as  large 
as  rifle  bullets,  of  a  bright  red  color,  an  agreeable  sour, 
though  rather  too  sour  of  themselves,  but  when  mixed  with 
sugar  had  a  very  agreeable  taste. 

In  conversation  with  Tecaughretanego,  I  happened  to  be 
talking  of  the  beavers  catching  fish.  He  asked  me  why  I 
thought  that  the  beaver  caught  fish.  I  told  him  that  I  had 
read  oi  the  beaver  making  dams  for  the  conveniency  of  fishing. 
He  laughed,  and  made  game  of  me  and  my  book.  He  said 
the  man  that  wrote  that  book  knew  nothing  about  the  beaver. 
The  beaver  never  did  eat  flesh  of  any  kind,  but  lived  on  the 
bark  of  trees,  roots,  and  other  vegetables. 

In  order  to  know  certainly  how  this  was,  when  we  killed  a 
beaver  I  carefully  examined  the  intestines,  but  found  no  ap- 
pearance of  fish ;  I  afterwards  made  an  experiment  on  a  pet 
beaver  which  we  had,  and  found  that  it  would  neither  eat  fish 

18* 


:>r- 


H 


QIO 


COLONEL   SMITHS   CAPTIVITY. 


nor  flesh ;  therefore  I  arknowlcdgccl  thai  the  book  1  had  road 
was  wron;,^, 

I  asked  '  'm  if  ilic  beaver  was  an  amphibious  animal,  or  if  it. 
couhl  live  'er  water.  He  said  that  the  beaver  was  a  kind 
of  sublerrai.  s  water  aninml  thaf,  lives  in  or  near  the  water  ; 
but  they  were  no  more  amj)inl)ious  than  the  ducks  and  cfeese 
were,  which  was  constantly  proven  to  be  tlie  case,  as  all  the 
beavers  that  are  cauj^ht  in  steel  traps  arc  drowned,  provided 
the  trap  he  heavy  cnoutrh  to  keep  them  under  water.  As  the 
beaver  does  not  eat  fish,  I  iufjuired  of  Tecau^-hretaneo;o  why 
the  beaver  made  such  large  dams.  He  said  ihey  were  of  use 
to  them  in  various  respects — both  for  their  safety  and  food. 
For  their  safety,  as  by  raising  the  water  over  the  niouths  of 
their  holes,  or  subterraneous  lodging  places,  ihey  could  not  be 
easily  found ;  and  as  the  beaver  feeds  chiefly  on  the  bark  of 
trees,  by  raising  the  water  over  the  banks  ihey  can  cut  down 
saplings  for  bark  to  feed  upon  without  going  out  much  upon 
the  land  ;  and  when  they  are  obliged  to  go  out  on  land  for 
this  food  they  frequently  are  caught  by  the  wolves.  As  the 
beaver  can  run  upon  land  but  little  faster  than  a  water  tortoise, 
and  is  no  fighting  animal,  if  they  are  any  distance  from  the 
water  they  become  an  easy  prey  to  their  enemies. 

I  asked  Tecaughretanego  what  was  the  use  of  the  beavers' 
stones,  or  glands,  to  them  ;  as  the  she  beaver  has  two  pair, 
which  is  commonly  called  the  oil  stones,  and  the  bark  stones. 
He  said  that  as  the  beavers  are  the  dumbest  of  all  animals, 
and  scarcely  ever  make  any  noise,  and  as  they  were  working 
creatures,  they  made  use  of  this  smell  in  order  to  work  in 
concert.  If  an  old  beaver  was  to  come  on  the  bank  and  rub 
his  breech  upon  the  ground,  and  raise  a  perfume,  the  others 
will  collect  from  different  places  and  go  to  work  :  this  is  also 
of  use  to  them  in  travelling,  that  they  may  thereby  search  out 
and  find  their  company.  Cunning  hunters,  finding  this  out, 
have  made  use  of  it  against  the  beavers,  in  order  to  catch 
them.  What  is  the  bait  which  you  see  them  make  use  of  but 
a  compound  of  the  oil  and  bark  stones  ?  By  this  perfume, 
which  is  only  a  false  signal,  they  decoy  them  to  the  trap. 

Near  this  pond  beaver  was  the  principal  game.  Before  the 
water  froze  up  we  caught  a  great  many  with  wooden  and  steel 
traps ;  but  after  that,  we  hunted  the  beaver  on  the  ice.  Some 
places  here  the  beavers  build  large  houses  to  live  in ;  and  in 
other  places  they  have  subterraneous  lodgings  in  the  banks. 
Where  they  lodge  in  the  ground  we  have  no  chance  of  hunting 
them  on  the  ice ;  but  where  they  have  houses,  we  go  with 
malls  and  handspikes,  and  break  all  the  hollow  ice,  to  prevent 
them  from  getting  their  heads  above  the  water  under  it.    Then 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   CATTIVITV. 


211 


k  I  had  reud 

liiiial,  or  if  it 
r  was  a  kind 
ir  the  water ; 
ks  and  gccse 
!(',  as  all  the 
icd,  provided 
iter.  As  the 
etanego  wliy 

were  of  use 
ety  and  food, 
le  mouths  of 

could  not  l)c 
I  the  bark  of 
:an  cut  down 
I  much  upon 
I  on  land  for 
ves.  As  the 
vater  tortoise, 
ince  from  the 

the  beavers' 
las  two  pair, 
!  bark  stones. 
'  all  animals, 
were  working 
r   to  work  in 
bank  and  rub 
ne,  the  others 
:  this  is  also 
by  search  out 
ding  this  out, 
)rder  to  catch 
ike  use  of  but 
this  perfume, 
the  trap. 
I.     Before  the 
)den  and  steel 
le  ice.     Some 
ve  in  ;  and  in 
in  the  banks, 
ice  of  hunting 
3,  we  go  with 
ice,  to  prevent 
ider  it.   Then 


we  break  a  \\o\r  in  the  house,  atid  llicy  make  lln-ir  esrapo  into 
the  water;  hut  as  they  cannot  live  loni^r  uiidiT  water,  they  are 
ohliued  to  go  to  some  of  those  broken  places  to  breathe,  and 
the  Indi.ins  tonuuonly  put  in  tlieir  hands,  catch  them  by  the 
hind  leLT,  haul  iheni  on  the  ice,  and  lonialiawk  tiiem.  Some- 
times they  shoot  them  in  the  head  when  they  raise  it  above 
the  water.  I  asked  the  Indians  if  they  were  not  afraid  to  catch 
the  beavers  with  their  hands.  They  said  no :  they  were  not 
nuirh  of  a  bitinir  creiilure  ;  yet  if  they  would  catch  them  by 
the  fore  foot  they  would  bite. 

I  wtmt  out  with  Tecaughretanego  and  some  others  a  beaver 
hunting;  but  we  did  not  succeed,  and  on  our  return  we  saw 
where  several  raccoons  had  passed  while  the  snow  was  soft, 
thouLrh  there  was  now. a  crust  upon  it;  we  all  n)ade  a  halt, 
looking  at  the  raccoon  tracks.  As  they  saw  a  tree  with  a  hole 
in  it,  they  told  me  to  go  and  see  if  they  had  gone  in  thereat ; 
and  if  they  had  to  halloo,  and  they  would  come  and  take  them 
out.  When  I  went  to  that  tree,  I  found  they  had  gone  past ; 
but  I  saw  another  the  way  they  had  gone,  and  proceeded  to 
examine  that,  and  found  they  had  gone  up  it.  I  then  began 
to  halloo,  but  could  have  no  answer. 

As  it  began  to  snow  and  blow  most  violently,  I  returned  and 
proceeded  after  my  company,  and  for  some  time  could  see  their 
tracks ;  but  the  old  snow  being  only  about  three  inches  deep, 
and  a  crust  upon  it,  the  present  driving  snow  soon  filled  up 
the  tracks.  As  I  had  only  a  bov^  arrows,  and  tomahawk  with 
me,  and  no  way  to  strike  fire,  .  appeared  to  be  in  a  dismal 
situation  ;  and  as  the  air  was  dark  with  snow,  I  had  little 
more  prospect  of  steering  my  course  than  I  would  in  the  night. 
At  length  I  came  to  a  hollow  tree,  with  a  hole  at  one  side  that 
I  could  go  in  at.  I  went  in,  and  found  that  it  was  a  dr 
place,  and  the  hollow  about  three  feet  diameter,  and  hig 
enough  for  me  to  stand  in.  f  found  that  there  was  also  a 
considerable  quantity  of  soft,  dry  rotten  wood  around  this  hol- 
low ;  I  therefore  concluded  that  I  would  lodge  here,  and  that 
I  would  go  to  work,  and  stop  up  the  door  of  my  house.  I 
stripped  oflf  my  blanket,  (which  was  all  the  clothes  that  I  had, 
excepting  a  Lrt  ech-clout,  leggins  and  moccasins,)  and  with 
my  tomahawk  .ell  to  chopping  at  the  top  of  a  fallen  tree  that 
lay  near,  and  carried  wood,  and  set  it  up  on  end  against  the 
door,  until  I  had  it  three  or  four  feet  thick  all  around,  except- 
ing a  hole  I  had  left  to  creep  in  at.  I  had  a  block  prepared  that 
I  ould  haul  after  me  to  stop  this  hole ;  and  before  I  went 
in  I  put  in  a  number  of  small  sticks  that  I  might  more  efTec- 
tually  stop  it  on  the  inside.  When  I  went  in,  I  took  my  toma- 
hawk and  cut  down  all  the  dry  rotten  wood  I  could  get,  and 


I 


n 


I 


212 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


bent  if  strmll.  With  it  I  uv.uU'  ii  IxmI  like  a  ^'ooso-nost  or  hog- 
bod,  iuid  willi  ihr  Miiiill  stiiks  stopped  I'vry  holf,  until  iny 
houso  was  iih)U)«l  (hirk.  I  stripped  oil'  my  moccasins,  and 
duncod  in  thi'  ct'iure  of  my  bed,  lor  jihoul  hall'  iin  hour,  in 
order  to  warm  myself.  In  this  time  my  feel  and  whole  body 
were  atrreeably  warmeil.  The  snow,  in  the  meijii  while,  had 
Stopped  all  the  hoh'.s,  so  thai  ujy  house  was  as  dark  as  a  duji- 
goon,  tliough  1  knew  it  could  not  yet  be  dark  out  of  doors.  I 
then  coiled  mys(df  up  in  my  blanket,  lay  down  in  my  little 
round  bed,  and  had  a  tolerable  night'n  lodfjinvf.  When  I 
awoke  all  was  dark — not  the  least  glimmcrin<r  of  lij^rjit  was  to 
be  seen.  Immediately  I  recollected  that  I  was  not  to  expect 
liglit  in  this  new  habitation,  us  there  was  neither  door  nor 
window  in  it.  As  I  could  hear  the  storm  raging,  and  did  not 
sulfer  much  cold  as  I  was  then  situated,  1  concluded  1  would 
stay  in  my  nest  until  I  was  certain  it  was  day.  When  I  had 
reason  to  conclude  that  it  surely  was  day,  I  arose  and  put  on 
my  moccasins,  which  I  had  laid  under  my  head  to  keep  from 
freezing.  I  then  endeavored  to  lind  the  door,  and  had  to  do 
all  by  the  sense  of  feeling,  which  took  me  some  time.  At 
length  I  found  the  block,  but  it  being  heavy,  and  a  large  quan- 
tity of  snow  having  fallen  on  it,  at  the  first  attempt  I  did  not 
move  it.  I  then  felt  terrified — among  all  the  hardships  I  had 
sustained,  I  never  knew  before  what  it  was  to  be  thus  deprived 
of  light.  This,  with  the  other  circumstances  attending  it, 
appeared  grievous.  I  went  straightway  to  bed  again,  wrapped 
my  blanket  round  me,  and  lay  and  mused  a  while,  and  then 
prayed  to  Almighty  God  to  direct  and  protect  me  as  ho  had 
done  heretofore.  I  once  again  attempted  to  move  away  the 
block,  which  proved  successful ;  it  moved  about  nine  inches. 
With  this  a  considerable  quantity  of  snow  fell  in  from  above, 
and  I  immediately  received  light ;  so  that  I  found  a  very  great 
sno^  had  fallen,  above  what  I  had  ever  seen  in  one  night.  1 
then  knew  why  I  could  not  easily  move  the  block,  and  I  was 
so  rejoiced  at  obtaining  the  light  that  all  my  other  difficulties 
seemed  to  vanish.  I  then  turned  into  my  cell,  and  returned 
God  thanks  for  having  once  more  received  the  light  of  heaven. 
At  length  I  belted  my  blanket  about  me,  got  my  tomahawk, 
bow  and  arrows,  and  went  out  of  my  den. 

I  was  now  in  tolerable  high  spirits,  though  the  snow  had 
fallen  above  three  feet  deep,  in  addition  to  what  was  on  the 
ground  before ;  and  the  only  imperfect  guide  I  had  in  order  to 
steer  my  course  to  camp  was  the  trees,  as  the  moss  generally 
grows  on  the  north-west  side  of  them,  if  they  are  straight.  I 
proceeded  on,  wading  through  the  snow,  and  about  twelve 
o'clock  (as  it  appeared  afterwards,  from  that  time  to  night,  for 


COLONEL  SMITH'S   CArTIVITY. 


213 


nost  or  hog- 
i|i>,  until  my 
'casiiis,  ami 
at)  hour,  ill 
whole  l)u(ly 
\  wliili',  had 
k  as  a  (luti- 
of  doors.     I 
ill    my  little 
r.      When  1 
lig-ht  was  to 
lot  lo  expect 
er  door  nor 
ami  did  not 
(led  1  would 
When  I  had 
•  and  put  on 
lo  keep  from 
id  had  to  do 
e  time.      At 
.  larc^e  quan- 
npt  I  did  not 
dships  I  had 
hus  deprived 
attending  it, 
ain,  wrapped 
le,  and  then 
e  as  he  had 
ve  away  the 
nine  inches, 
from  above, 
a  very  great 
ne  night.     I 
k,  and  I  was 
3r  difficulties 
ind  returned 
It  of  heaven, 
y  tomahawk, 

he  snow  had 
t  was  on  the 
d  in  order  to 
3SS  generally 
!  straight.  I 
ibout  twelve 
to  night,  for 


1 


it  was  yet  iloiidy)  I  cam*'  upon  the  creek  that  our  camp  was 
on,  ahoiil  hall  a  mile  helow  the  camp  ;  and  when  I  came  in 
sight  of  the  camp,  I  found  that  there  was  great  joy,  hy  the 
shouts  and  yelliiiL'  of  the  hoys,  Hic. 

When  I  arrived,  they  all  came  round  me,  :iml  received  mo 
gladly  ;  hut  at  this  lime  no  rpu^slions  w(^re  askr-d,  and  1  was 
taken  iuio  a  lent,  where?  they  L'ave  me  pleiitv  <»f  till  heaveT 
meat,  and  then  asked  m<;  to  smoke.  When  [  had  done,  Te- 
cauLriireianeno  desired  me  to  walk  out  to  a  lire  they  had  made. 
I  wi'Ml  out,  and  they  all  colltvied  round  me,  hoth  men,  woiihmi, 
and  hoys.  Tei'au'^hn'ianeeo  asked  me  to  uive  them  a  particu- 
lar accoinit  of  what  Inid  happened  from  the  time  they  left  mc 
yesterday  iintil  now.  1  told  them  the  whoh;  of  the  story,  and 
they  never  interru|)te(|  me  ;  hut  when  I  made  a  stop,  the  inter- 
vals were  lilled  wiih  loud  acclaniaiions  of  joy.  As  I  could  not 
at  this  time  talk  Ottawa  or  Jihewa  well,  (which  is  nearly  the 
same,)  I  (Udivered  my  story  in  Cauu:hnewaL'"a.  As  my  sister 
Molly's  hiishand  was  a  Jihewa,  and  couM  unihTstand  Caugh- 
newaga,  he  acted  as  interpreter,  and  delivered  my  story  to  the 
Jihewas  and  Ottawas,  which  they  received  with  pleasure. 
When  all  this  was  done,  Tecaughretanego  made  a  speech  to 
me  ill  the  following  manner : 

"  Urofhrr, — You  see  we  have  prepared  snow-shoes  to  go 
after  you,  and  were  almost  ready  to  go  when  you  appeared; 
yet,  as  you  had  not  been  accustomed  lo  hardships  in  your  coun- 
try, lo  the  east,  we  never  expected  to  sec  you  alive.  Now  we 
are  glad  to  s(>e  you  in  various  respects  :  we  are  glad  to  see 
you  on  your  own  account;  and  we  are  fj^lad  to  see  the  prospect 
of  your  lilling  the  place  of  a  great  man,  in  whose  room  you 
were  adopted.  We  do  not  blame  you  for  what  has  happened, 
we  blame  ourselves;  because  we  did  not  think  of  this  driving 
snow  filling  up  the  tracks,  until  after  we  caino  to  camp. 

^^  Brother, — Your  conduct  on  this  occasion  hath  pleased  us 
much  ;  you  have  given  us  an  evidence  of  your  fortitude,  skill, 
and  resolution  ;  and  we  hope  you  will  always  go  on  to  do 
great  actions,  as  it  is  only  great  actions  that  can  make  a  great 
man." 

I  told  my  brother  Tecaughretanego  that  I  thanked  them  for 
their  care  of  me,  and  for  the  kindness  I  always  received.  I 
told  him  that  I  always  wished  to  do  great  actions,  and  hoped  I 
never  would  do  any  thing  to  dishonor  anv  of  those  with  whom 
I  was  connected.  1  likewise  told  my  Jibewa  brother-in-law  to 
tell  his  people  that  I  also  thanked  them  for  their  care  and 
kindness. 

The  next  morning  some  of  the  hunters  went  out  on  snow- 
shoes,  killed  several  deer,  and  hauled  some  of  them  into  camp 


'Hi 


1  4\ 


i! 


'! 


II 


iii 


Kl 


ji 


('  '■< 


'! 


I 

,1 


in 

\     ' 

^B 

1 

uM 

f 

iffi 

s 

1 

it            : 

1 

1                      1 

D 

214 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


upon  the  snow.  They  fixed  their  carryinijf  strings  (which  arc 
broad  in  the  middle  and  small  at  each  end)  in  the  fore  feel 
and  nose  of  the  deer,  and  laid  the  broad  part  of  it  on  their 
heads  or  about  their  shoulders,  and  pulled  it  along;  and  when 
it  is  moving,  will  not  sink  in  the  snow  much  deeper  than  a 
snow-shoe ;  and  when  taken  with  the  grain  of  the  hair,  slips 
along  very  easily. 

The  snow-shoes  are  made  like  a  hoop-net,  and  wrought  with 
buckskin  thongs.  Each  shoe  is  about  two  feet  and  a  half  long, 
and  about  eighteen  inches  broad  before,  and  small  behind,  with 
cross-bars,  in  order  to  fix  or  tie  them  to  their  feet.  After  the 
snow  had  lain  a  few  days,  the  Indians  tomahawked  the  deer, 
by  pursuing  them  in  this  maimer. 

About  two  weeks  after  this  there  came  a  warm  rain,  and 
took  away  the  chief  part  of  the  snow,  and  broke  up  the  ice  ; 
then  we  engaged  in  making  wooden  traps  to  catch  beavers,  as 
we  had  but  few  steel  traps.  These  traps  arc  made  nearly  in 
the  same  manner  as  the  raccoon  traps  already  described. 

One  day,  as  I  was  looking  after  my  traps,  I  got  benighted, 
by  beaver  ponds  intercepting  my  way  to  rnmp;  nnd  ns  1  had 
neglected  to  take  fireworks  with  me,  and  the  weather  very 
cold,  I  could  find  no  suitable  lodging  place ;  therefore,  the  only 
expedient  I  could  think  of  to  keep  myself  from  freezing  was 
exercise.  I  danced  and  hallooed  the  whole  night  with  all  my 
might,  and  the  next  day  came  to  camp.  Though  I  suffered 
much  more  this  time  than  the  other  night  I  lay  out,  yet  the 
Indians  were  not  so  much  concerned,  as  they  thought  I  had 
fireworks  with  me  ;  but  when  they  knew  how  it  was,  they  did 
not  blame  me.  They  said  that  old  hunters  were  frequently 
involved  in  this  place,  as  the  beaver  dams  were  one  above 
another  on  every  creek  and  run,  so  thpt  it  is  hard  to  find  a 
fording  place.  They  applauded  me  for  my  fortitude,  and  said, 
as  they  had  now  plenty  of  beaver  skins,  they  would  purchase 
me  a  new  gun  at  Detroit,  as  we  were  to  go  there  the  next 
spring ;  and  then  if  I  should  chance  to  be  lost  in  dark  weather, 
I  could  make  a  fire,  kill  provision,  and  return  to  camp  v/hen 
the  sun  shined.  By  being  bewildered  on  the  waters  of  Musk- 
ingum, I  lost  repute,  and  was  reduced  to  the  bow  and  arrow, 
and  by  lying  out  two  nights  here  I  regained  my  credit. 

After  some  time  the  waters  all  froze  again,  and  then,  as 
formerly,  we  hunted  beavers  on  the  ice.  Though  beaver  meat, 
without  salt  or  bread,  was  the  chief  of  our  food  this  winter,  yet 
we  had  always  plenty,  and  I  was  well  contented  with  my  diet, 
as  it  appeared  delicious  fare,  after  the  way  we  had  lived  the 
winter  before. 

Some  time  in  February,  we  scafTolded  up  our  fur  and  skins, 


est 


li     ^ 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CArTIVITY, 


215 


,'1 


s  (which  arc 
1  the  fore  feel 
of  it  on  their 
(T ;  and  when 
ieoper  than  a 
the  hair,  slips 

wrouo"ht  with 
d  a  half  lono-, 
1  behind,  with 
ct.  After  the 
vkcd  the  deer, 

arm  rain,  and 
ce  up  the  ice  ; 
tch  beavers,  as 
nade  nearly  in 
escribed, 
got  benighted, 
;   nnd  ns  T  had 

weather  very 
refore,  the  only 
1  frcezino:  was 
jht  with  all  my 
oug-h  I  suffered 
ay  out,  yet  the 
^  thought  I  had 
t  was,  they  did 
kTere  frequently 
"ere  one  above 
1  hard  to  find  a 
itude,  and  said, 
vould  purchase 

there  the  next 
n  dark  weather, 

to  camp  v/hen 
vaters  of  Musk- 
bow  and  arrow, 
y  credit, 
n,  and  then,  as 
gh  beaver  meat, 
this  winter,  yet 
d  with  my  diet, 
e  had  lived  the 

r  fur  and  skins, 


and  moved  about  ten  miles  in  qu(!St  of  a  sugar  camp,  or  a  suit- 
able place  to  make  sugar,  and  encamped  in  a  large  boiiom  on 
the  head  waters  of  Big  Beaver  creek.  We  had  some  diffi- 
culty in  moving,  as  we  had  a  blind  Caughnewaga  boy,  about 
fifteen  years  of  age,  to  lead ;  and  as  this  country  is  very 
brusliy,  we  frequently  had  him  to  carry.  We  had  also  my 
Jibewa  broiher-in-law's  father  wiili  us,  who  was  thought  by 
the  Indians  to  be  a  great  conjuror;  his  name  was  ]\Ianetohcoa. 
This  old  man  was  so  decrepit  that  we  had  to  carry  him  this 
route  ujion  a  bier,  and  all  our  baggage  to  pack  on  our  backs. 

Shortly  after  we  came  to  this  place,  the  squaws  began  to 
make  sugar.  We  had  no  large  kettles  with  us  this  year,  and 
they  made  the  frost,  in  some  measure,  supply  the  place  of  fire, 
in  making  sugar.  Their  large  bark  vessels,  for  holding  the 
stock  water,  they  made  broad  and  shallow  ;  and  as  the  weather 
is  very  cold  here,  it  frequently  freezes  at  night  in  sugar  time  ; 
and  the  ice  they  break  and  cast  out  of  the  vessels.  I  asked 
them  if  they  w^ere  not  throwing  away  the  sugar.  They  said 
no  ;  it  was  water  they  were  casting  away;  sugar  did  not  freeze, 
and  there  was  scarcely  any  in  that  ice.  They  said  I  might 
try  the  experiment,  and  boil  some  of  it,  and  see  what  I  w^ould 
get.  I  never  did  try  it ;  but  I  observed  that,  after  several  times 
freezing,  the  water  that  remained  in  the  vessel  changed  its 
color,  and  became  brown  and  very  sweet. 

About  the  time  we  were  d  iie  making  sugar  the  snow  went 
off  the  ground  ;  and  one  night  a  squaw  raised  an  alarm.  She 
said  she  saw  two  men  with  guns  in  their  hands,  upon  the  bank 
on  the  other  side  of  the  creek,  spying  our  tents;  they  were 
supposed  to  be  Johnston's  Mohawks.  On  this  the  squaw's  were 
ordered  to  slip  quietly  out  some  distance  into  the  bushes,  and 
all  who  had  either  guns  or  bows  were  to  squat  in  the  bushes 
near  the  tents;  and  if  the  enemy  rushed  up,  we  wx-re  to  give 
them  the  first  fire,  and  let  the  squaws  have  an  opportunity  of 
escaping.  I  got  down  beside  T(>caughrctanego,  and  he  whis- 
pered to  me  not  to  be  afraid,  for  he  woub!  speak  to  the  Mo- 
hawks, and  as  they  spoke  the  same  tongue  that  we  did  they 
would  not  hurt  the  Caughnewagas  or  me  ;  but  they  would  kill 
all  the  Jibewas  and  Ottawas  that  they  could,  and  take  us  along 
with  them.  This  news  pleased  me  well,  and  I  heartily  wished 
for  the  approach  of  the  Mohawks. 

Before  we  withdrew  from  the  tents  they  had  carrieu  Mane- 
tohcoa  to  the  fire,  and  gave  him  his  conjuring  tools,  which  were 
dyed  feathers,  the  bone  of  the  shoulder-blade  of  a  wildcat,  to- 
bacco, &c.  And  while  we  were  in  the  bushes,  Manetohcoa 
was  in  a  tent  at  the  fire,  conjuring  away  to  the  utmost  of  his 
ability.     At  length  he  called  aloud  for  us  all  to  come  in,  which 


Kk 


;  it 


<  : 


I' 


I  «■ 


I    :^ 


216 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


was  quickly  obeyed.  When  wc  came  in  ho  loltl  us  that  after 
he  had  gone  through  the  whole  of  his  ceremony,  and  expected 
to  see  a  numb.-r  of  Mohawks  on  the  flat  bone  when  it  was 
warmed  at  the  iire,  the  pictures  of  two  wolves  only  appeared. 
He  said,  though  there  were  no  Mohawks  about,  we  must  not 
be  angry  with  the  squaw  for  giving  a  false  alarm  ;  as  she  had 
occasion  to  go  out  and  happened  to  see  the  wolves,  though  it 
was  moonlight,  yet  she  got  afraid,  and  she  conceited  it  was 
Indians  with  guns  in  their  hands.  So  he  said  we  might  all  go 
to  sleep,  for  there  was  no  danger ;  and  accordingly  we  did. 

The  next  morning  we  went  to  the  place,  and  found  wolf 
tracks,  and  where  they  had  scratched  with  their  feet  like  dogs ; 
but  there  was  no  sign  of  moccasin  tracks.  If  there  is  any  such 
thing  as  a  wizard,  1  think  Manetohcoa  was  as  likely  to  be  one 
as  any  man,  as  he  was  a  professed  worshipper  of  the  devil. 
But  let  him  be  a  conjuror  or  not,  I  am  persuaded  that  the  In- 
dians believed  what  he  told  them  upon  this  occasion,  as  well 
as  if  it  had  come  from  an  infallible  oracle  ;  or  they  would  not, 
after  such  an  alarm  as  this,  go  all  to  sleep  in  an  unconcerned 
manner.  This  appeared  to  me  the  most  like  witchcraft  of  any 
thing  I  beheld  while  I  was  with  them.  Though  I  scrutinized 
their  proceedings  in  business  of  this  kind,  yet  I  generally  found 
that  their  pretended  witchcraft  was  either  art  or  mistaken  no- 
tions, whereby  they  deceived  themselves.  Before  a  battle  they 
spy  the  enemy's  motions  carefully,  and  when  they  find  that 
they  can  have  considerable  advantage,  and  the  greatest  prospect 
of  success,  then  the  old  men  pretend  to  conjure,  or  to  tell  what 
the  evv^nt  will  be  ;  and  this  they  do  in  a  figurative  manner, 
which  will  bear  something  of  a  uiflerent  interpretation,  which 
generally  comes  to  pass  nearly  as  they  foretold.  Therefore  the 
young  warriors  generally  believed  ihese  old  conjurors,  which 
had  a  tendency  to  animate  and  excite  them  to  push  on  with 
vigor. 

Some  time  in  March,  1757,  we  began  to  move  back  to  the 
forks  of  Cayahaga,  which  was  about  forty  or  fifty  miles.  And 
as  we  had  no  horses,  we  had  all  our  batrgage  and  several  hun- 
dred  weight  of  beaver  skins,  and  some  deer  and  bear  slcins,  all 
to  pack  on  our  backs.  The  method  we  took  to  accomplish  this 
was  by  making  short  days'  journeys.  In  the  morning  we  would 
move  on,  with  as  much  as  we  were  ab' 3  to  carry,  about  five 
miles,  and  encamp,  and  then  run  back  for  more.  We  com- 
monly made  three  such  trips  in  the  day.  When  we  came  to 
the  great  pond,  we  staid  there  one  day  to  rest  ourselves,  and  to 
kill  ducks  and  geese. 

While  we  remained  here,  I  w^ent  in  company  with  a  young 
Caughnewaga,  who  was  about  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  of 


i! 


COLONEL   SMITH'S    CAPTIVITY. 


217 


us  that  after 
ind  expected 
when  it  was 
ly  appeared, 
we  must  not 
;  as  ?lie  had 
es,  though  it 
!eited  it  was 
miyht  all  go 
y  we  did. 
I  found  wolf 
(et  like  dogs ; 
'e  is  any  such 
ely  to  be  one 
of  the  devil. 
I  that  the  In- 
ision,  as  well 
By  would  not, 

unconcerned 
:hcraft  of  any 

I  scrutinized 
iuerally  found 
mistaken  no- 

a  battle  they 
ley  find  that 
atest  prospect 
to  tell  Avhat 
ive  manner, 

ation,  which 
herefore  the 

uvors,  which 

lush  on  with 

0  back  to  the 
miles.      And 

several  hun- 
)ear  slcins,  all 

omplish  this 

lis:  we  would 

ry,  about  five 

We  com- 

we  came  to 

5elves,  and  to 

vith  a  young 
een  years  of 


age,  Chinnohcto  by  ikimip,  in  order  to  gatlier  cranborrlos.  As 
he  was  gathering  Ix.-rrios  at  some  distance  from  me,  three  Jib- 
ewa  squaws  crept  up  undiscovered,  and  madf>  at  him  speedily, 
but  he  nimbly  escaped,  and  came  to  me  apparently  terrified. 
I  asked  him  what  he  was  afraid  of.  He  ri^plied,  did  y  u  not 
see  those  squaws  ?  I  told  him  I  did,  ami  they  appeared  to  be 
in  a  very  good  humor.  I  asked  him  wherefore  then  he  was 
afraid  of  them.  He  said  the  Jihewa  scpuuvs  were  very  bad 
women,  aiul  iiad  a  very  ugly  custom  among  them.  I  asked 
him  what  that  custom  was.  He  said  that  when  two  or  three 
of  them  could  catch  a  young  lad,  that  was  betwixt  a  man  and 
a  boy,  out  by  himself,  if  they  could  overpower  him,  they  would 
strip  him  by  force,  in  order  to  see  whether  lie  was  coming  on 
to  be  a  man  or  not.  He  said  that  was  what  they  intended 
when  they  crawled  up  and  ran  so  violently  at  him  ;  biU,  said 
he,  I  am  very  glad  that  I  so  narrowly  escaped.  I  then  agreed 
with  Chinnohete  in  condemning  this  as  a  bad  custom,  and  an 
exceedingly  immodest  action  for  young  women  to  be  ouiUy  of. 

From  our  sugar  camp  on  the  head  waters  of  Big  Beaver 
creek  to  this  place  is  not  hilly.  In  some  j)laces  the  woods  are 
tolerably  clear,  but  in  most  places  exceedingly  brushy.  The 
land  here  is  chiefly  second  and  third  rate.  The  timber  on  the 
upland  is  white  oak,  black  oak,  hickory,  and  chesnut.  There 
is  also  in  some  places  walnut  upland,  and  plenty  of  good  water. 
The  bottoms  here  are  generally  large  and  good. 

We  again  proceeded  on  from  the  pond  to  the  forks  of  Caya- 
haga,  at  the  rate  of  about  five  miles  per  day. 

The  land  on  this  route  is  not  very  hilly;  it  is  well  watered, 
and  in  many  places  ill  limbered,  generally  brushy,  and  chiefly 
second  and  third  rate  land,  intermixed  with  good  bottoms. 

When  wo  came  to  the  forks,  wo  found  that  tlie  skins  we  had 
scaflblded  were  all  safe.  Tlmugh  this  was  a  public  place,  and 
Indians  fre([uontly  passing,  and  our  skins  hanging  up  in  viow. 
yet  there  were  none  stolen.  And  it  is  seldoni  that  Itidians  do 
steal  any  thing  from  one  another.  And  they  say  they  never 
did,  until  the  white  people  came  amonc  them,  and  learned 
some  of  thorn  to  lie,  cheat,  and  steal  ;  but  be  that  as  it  may, 
they  never  did  curse  or  swear  until  the  whites  learned  them. 
Some  think  their  language  will  not  admit  of  it,  but  T  am  not 
of  that  opinion.  If  I  was  so  disposed,  I  could  find  -"nguage 
to  curse  or  swear  in  the  Indian  tf)ngue. 

I  remember  that  Tecaughretanego,  when  something  displeas- 
ed him,  said,  God  damn  it.  I  asked  him  if  he  knew  what  he 
then  said.  He  said  he  did,  and  mentioned  one  of  their  degrad- 
ing expressions,  which  he  supposed  to  be  the  meaning  or 
something  like  the  meaning  of  what  he  had  said.  I  told  him 
19 


Mi 


I'll 


I       ii 


'ii 


218 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


tlirit,  it  (lid  liol  boar  the  Ica^^t  resemblance  Ut  it ;  tbat  what  ho 
had  said  was  calliii<r  nj)()ii  the  CI  real  Sjiirit  to  punish  tlie  object 
he  was  displeased  with.  lie  stood  for  some  time  amazetl,  and 
then  said,  if  this  be  the  meaning-  of  these  words,  what  sort  of 
people  are  tlic  whites  ?  When  the  traders  were  amouir  us, 
these  words  seemed  to  be  intern)ixed  with  all  their  discourse. 
He  told  me  to  reconsider  what  1  had  said,  for  he  thouyht  1 
must  be  mistaken  in  my  definition.  If  I  was  not  mistaken,  he 
said,  the  traders  apj)lied  these  words  not  only  wickedly,  but 
oftentimes  Very  foolishly  and  contrary  to  sense  or  reason.  He 
said  he  remembered  once  of  a  trader's  accidentally  breaking 
his  gun-lock,  and  on  that  occasion  callijig  out  aloud,  God  damn 
it ;  surely,  said  he,  the  gun-lock  was  not  an  object  wonhy  of 
punishment  for  Owaneeyo,  or  the  Great   Spirit.     He  also  ob-  V 

served  the  traders  often  used  this  expression  when  they  were  in  ' 

a  good  humor,  and  not  displeased  with  any  thing.  1  acknow- 
ledged that  the  traders  used  this  expression  very  often,  in  a 
most  irrational,  inconsisUmt,  and  impious  manner ;  yet  I  still 
asserted  that  I  had  given  the  true  meaning  of  these  w^ords. 
He  replied,  if  so,  the  traders  are  as  bad  as  Oonasahroona,  or 
the  under  ground  inhabitants,  which  is  the  name  they  give  the 
deA  ils,  as  they  entertain  a  notion  that  their  place  of  residence 
is  under  the  earth. 

We  took  up  our  birch-bark  canoes  which  we  had  buried,  and 
found  that  they  were  not  damaged  by  the  ninter ;  but  they 
not  being  sufHcient  to  carry  all  that  we  now  had,  we  made  a 
large  chesnut-bark  canoe,  as  elm  bark  was  not  to  be  found  at 
this  place. 

We  all  embarked,  and  had  a  very  agreeable  passage  down 
the  Cayahaga,  and  along  the  south  side  of  lake  Erie,  until 
v;e  passed  the  mouth  of  Sandusky  ;  then  the  wind  arose,  and 
we  fut  in  at  the  mouth  of  the  Miami  of  the  lake,  at  Cedar 
Point,  where  we  remained  several  days,  and  killed  a  number 
of  turkeys,  geese,  ducks,  and  swans.  The  wind  being  fair, 
and  the  lake  not  extremely  rough,  Ave  again  embarked,  hoisted 
up  sails,  and  arrived  safe  at  the  W^yandot  town,  nearly  oppo- 
site to  fort  Detroit,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  Here  we 
found  a  number  of  French  traders,  every  one  very  willing  to  i 

deal  with  us  for  our  beaver.  * 

We  bojghl  ourselves  fine  clothes,  ammunition,  paint,  tobacco, 
&c.,and,  according  to  promise,  they  purchased  me  a  new  gun; 
yet  we  had  parted  with  only  about  one  third  of  our  beaver. 
At  length  a  trader  came  to  town  with  French  brandy  ;  we  pur- 
chased a  keg  of  it,  and  held  a  council  about  who  was  to  get 
drunk  and  who  was  to  keep  sober.    I  was  invited  to  get  drunk,  il 

but  I  refused  the  proposal ;  then  they  told  me  that  1  must  be 


til 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


219 


lit  what  he 
1  the  object 
luizod,  and 
liat  ;^()rt  of 
anioiiir   us, 

di::^course. 
'  tliought  1 
istakcn,  he 
ckedly,  but 
}ason.  He 
ly  breaking 
,  God  damn 
t  worthy  of 
^e  also  ob- 
tiey  were  in 

1  acknow- 
r  often,  in  a 
;  yet  I  still 
hcse  words. 
?ahroona,  or 
ley  give  the 
jf  residence 

1  buried,  and 

r ;  but  they 

we  made  a 

be  found  at 

issage  down 
Erie,  until 
id  arose,  and 
ke,  at  Cedar 
ed  a  number 
I  being  fair, 
rked,  hoisted 
nearly  oppo- 
r.  Here  we 
ry  willing  to 

laint,  tobacco, 
?  a  new  gun; 
our  beaver, 
idy  ;  we  pur- 
o  was  to  get 
to  get  drunk, 
at  1  must  be 


W 


one  of  those  who  were  to  take  care  of  the  drunken  people.  I 
(lid  not  like  this  ;  but  of  two  evils  I  chose  that  which  I  thought 
was  the  least — and  fell  in  with  those  who  were  to  conceal  the 
arms,  and  keep  every  dangerous  weapon  we  could  out  of  their 
way,  and  endeavor,  if  possible,  to  keep  the  drinking  club  from 
killing  each  other,  which  was  a  very  hard  task.  Scvrral  times 
we  hazarded  our  own  lives,  and  got  ourselves  hurt,  in  prevent- 
ing them  from  slaying  each  other.  Before  they  had  tlnished 
this  keg,  near  ona  third  of  the  town  was  introduced  to  this 
drinking  club;  they  could  not  pay  their  part,  as  they  had 
already  disposed  of  nil  their  skins  ;  but  that  made  no  odds — all 
Averc  welcome  to  drink. 

When  they  were  done  with  this  keg,  they  applied  to  the  tra- 
ders, and  procured  a  kettle  full  of  brandy  at  a  time,  which 
they  divided  out  witli  a  large  wooden  spoon  ;  and  so  they 
went  on,  and  never  (|uit  while  they  had  a  single  lieavcr  skin. 

When  the  trader  had  got  all  our  beaver,  he  moved  otFto  the 
Ottawa  town,  about  a  mile  above  the  Wyandot  town. 

When  the  brandy  was  gone,  and  the  drinking  club  soVt, 
they  appeared  much  dejected.  Some  of  them  were  crinj^i  1, 
others  badly  wounded,  a  number  of  their  fine  new  shirt  tore, 
and  several  blankets  were  burned.  A  number  of  squaws  were 
also  in  this  club,  and  neglected  their  corn-planting. 

We  could  nc'\/  hear  the  effects  of  the  brandy  in  the  Ottawa 
town.  They  were  singing  and  yelling  in  the  most  hideou" 
manner,  both  night  and  day  ;  but  their  frolic  ended  worse  than 
ours :  fiv^e  Ottawas  were  killed  and  a  great  many  wounded. 

After  this  a  number  of  young  Indians  were  getting  their 
ears  cut,  and  they  urged  me  to  have  mine  cut  likewise,  but 
they  did  not  attempt  to  compel  me,  though  they  endeavored 
to  persuade  n.>?.  The  principal  arguments  they  used  were, 
its  being  a  very  great  ornament,  and  also  the  common  fash- 
ion. The  former  1  did  not  believe,  and  the  latter  i  could 
not  deny.  The  way  they  performed  this  operation  was  by 
cutting  the  fleshy  part  of  the  circle  of  the  ear,  close  to  the 
gristle,  quite  through.  When  this  w\as  done  they  wrapt  rags 
round  this  fleshy  part  until  it  was  entirely  healed  ;  they  then 
hung  lead  to  it,  and  stretched  it  to  a  wonderful  length  ;  when 
it  was  sufficiently  stretched,  they  wrapped  the  fleshy  part  round 
with  brass  wire,  which  formed  it  into  a  semicircle  about  four 
inches  diameter. 

Many  of  the  young  men  were  now  exercising  themselves  in 
a  game  resembling  foot-ball.,  though  they  commonly  struck 
the  ball  \\\\\\  a  crooked  stick  made  for  that  purpose  ;  also  a 
game  something  like  this,  wherein  they  used  a  wooden  ball, 
about  three  inches  diameter,  and  the  instrument  they  moved  it 


^  \\ 


[/  I     ■t; 


W 


220 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   CAPTIVITY. 


with  was  a  strong  staff,  about  five  feet  lon^,  with  a  hoop  net  on 
the  end  of  it  large  enough  to  contain  the  b;ill.  Before  they 
begin  the  play,  they  lay  off  about  half  a  mile  distance  in  a 
clear  plain,  and  ihe  opposite  parlies  all  attend  at  the  centre, 
where  a  disinterested  person  casts  up  the  ball,  then  the  oppo- 
site parties  all  contend  for  it.  If  any  one  gets  it  into  his  net, 
he  runs  with  it  the  way  he  ^\■ishes  it  to  go,  and  they  all  pursue 
him.  If  one  of  the  (ipposiie  party  overtakes  the  person  with 
the  ball,  he  gives  the  staff  a  stroke,  which  causes  the  ball  to 
fly  out  of  the  net ;  then  they  have  another  debate  for  it,  and  if 
the  one  that  gets  it  can  outrun  all  the  op])osite  party,  and  can 
carry  it  rpiite  out.  or  over  the  line  at  the  end,  the  game  is  won  ; 
but  this  seldom  hiippens.  When  any  one  is  running  away 
with  the  ball,  and  i«  likely  to  l)e  overtaken,  he  commonly 
throws  it,  and  with  this  instrument  can  cast  it  fifty  or  sixty 
yards.  Sometimes  when  the  ball  is  almost  at  the  one  end, 
matters  will  take  a  sudden  turn,  and  the  opposite  party  may 
quickly  carry  it  out  at  the  other  end.  Oftentimes  they  will 
work  a  long  while  back  and  forward  before  they  can  get  the 
ball  over  the  line,  or  win  the  game. 

About  the  1st  of  Jinie,  1757,  the  warriors  were  preparing  to 
go  to  war,  in  the  Wyandot,  Potlowatomy,  and  Ottawa  towns ; 
also  a  great  many  Jibewas  came  down  from  the  upper  lakes ; 
and  after  singing  their  war-songs,  and  going  through  their 
common  ceremonies,  they  marched  off  against  the  frontiers  of 
Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Pennsylvania,  in  their  usual  manner, 
singing  the  travelling  song,  slow^  firing,  &c. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  opposite  to 
fort  Detroit,  there  is  an  island,  which  the  Indians  call  the 
Long  Island,  and  which  they  say  is  above  one  thousand  miles 
long,  and  in  some  places  above  one  hundred  miles  broad. 
They  further  say  that  the  great  river  that  comes  down  by  Can- 
esatauga,  and  that  empties  into  the  main  branch  of  St.  Law- 
rence, above  Montreal,  originates  from  one  source  with  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  forms  this  island. 

Opposite  to  Detroit,  and  below  it,  was  originally  a  prairie, 
and  laid  off  in  lots  about  sixty  rods  broad,  and  a  great  length ; 
each  lot  is  divided  into  two  fields,  which  they  cultivate  year 
about.  The  princi])al  grain  that  the  French  raised  in  these 
fields  was  spring  wheat  and  peas. 

They  built  all  their  houses  on  the  front  of  these  lots  on  the 
river-side  ;  and  as  the  banks  of  the  river  are  very  low,  some 
of  the  houses  are  not  above  three  or  four  feet  above  the  sur- 
face of  the  water;  yet  they  are  in  no  danger  of  being  disturb- 
ed by  fresheis,  as  the  river  seldom  rises  above  eighteen  inches; 


' 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


221 


>op  net  on 
'fore  they 
niice  in  a 
le  centre, 
the  oppo- 
to  his  net, 
all  pursue 
rson  with 
the  hall  to 
r  it,  and  if 
',  and  can 
lie  is  won  ; 
uug  away 
commonly 
y  or  sixty 
2  one  end, 
party  may 
1  they  will 
an  get  the 

reparing  to 
iva  towns ; 
)per  lakes ; 
ough  their 
rentiers  of 
\[  manner, 

opposite  to 
IS  call  the 
sand  miles 
iles  broad- 
vn  by  Can - 
f  St.  Law- 
v'ith  the  St. 

y  a  prairie, 
eat  length ; 
tivate  year 
ed  in  these 

lots  on  the 
/  low,  some 
)ve  the  sur- 
ing  disturb- 
een  inches; 


\ 


because  it  is  the  communication  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence, 
from  one  lake  to  another. 

\s  dwelling-houses,  barns  and  stables  are  all  built  on  the 
front  of  these  lOts,  at  a  distance  it  appears  like  a  continued  row 
of  houses  in  a  town,  on  each  side  of  the  river,  for  a  long  way. 
Those  villages,  the  town,  the  river  and  the  plams,  being  all  in 
view  at  once,  afford  a  most  delightful  prospect. 

The  inhabitants  here  chiefly  drink  the  river  water  ;  and  as 
it  cor.es  from  the  northward,  it  is  very  wholesome. 

The  land  here  is  principally  second  rate,  and,  comparatively 
speaking,  a  small  part  is  first  or  third  rate  ;  though  about  four 
or  five  miles  south  of  Detroit  there  is  a  small  portion  that  is 
worse  than  what  I  would  call  third  rate,  which  produces  abun- 
dance of  whortleberries. 

There  is  plenty  of  good  meadow  ground  here,  and  a  great 
many  mar^hes  that  are  overspread  with  water.  The  timber  is 
elm,  sugar-tree,  black  ash,  white  ash,  abundance  of  water  ash, 
oak,  hickory,  and  some  walnut. 

About  the  middle  of  June,  the  Indians  were  almost  all  gone 
to  war,  from  sixteen  to  sixty ;  yet  Tecatighretanego  remained 
in  town  with  me.  Though  he  had  formerly,  when  they  were 
at  war  with  the  southern  nations,  been  a  great  warrior  and  an 
eminent  counsellor,  and  I  think  as  clear  and  able  a  reasoner 
upon  any  subject  that  he  had  an  opportunity  of  being  acquaint- 
ed with  as  I  ever  knew ;  yet  he  had  all  along  been  against 
this  war,  and  had  strenuously  opposed  it  in  council.  He  said, 
if  the  English  and  French  had  a  quarrel,  let  them  fight  their 
own  battles  themselves  ;  it  is  not  our  business  to  intermeddle 
therewith. 

Before  the  warriors  returned,  we  were  very  scarce  of  pro- 
vision ;  and  though  we  did  not  commonly  steal  from  one 
another,  yet  we  stole  during  this  time  any  thing  that  we  could 
eat  from  the  French,  under  the  notion  that  it  was  just  for  us 
to  do  so,  because  they  supported  their  soldiers;  and  our  squaws, 
old  men  and  children  were  suffering  on  the  account  of  the 
war,  as  our  hunters  were  all  gone. 

Some  time  in  August,  the  warriors  returned,  and  brought  in 
with  them  a  great  many  scalps,  prisoners,  horses  and  plunder  ; 
and  the  common  report  among  the  young  warriors  was,  that 
they  would  entirely  subdue  Tulhasaga,  that  is  the  English, 
or  it  might  be  literally  rendered  the  Morning  Light  inhabit- 
ants. 

About  the  first  of  November,  a  number  of  families  were 
preparing  to  go  on  their  winter  hunt,  and  all  agreed  to  cross 
the  lake  together.  We  encamped  at  the  mouth  of  the  river 
the  first  night,  r.nd  a   council  was  held,  whether  we  should 

19* 


222 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


.!l     1 


i 


i     \' 


cross  throuirh  by  the  ihreo  islands,  or  coast  it  round  the  lake. 
These  islands  lie  in  a  line  arross  tlu^  lake,  and  are  just  in  siirht 
of  each  other.  Some  of  the  Wyandots,  or  Oitawas,  fre(iuent- 
ly  make  their  winter  hunt  on  these  ishuuls  ;  though,  except- 
ing  wiUl  fowl  and  fish,  there  is  scarcely  any  ganie  here  hut 
raccoons,  which  are  amazingly  pl(?iity,  and  exceedingly  large 
and  fat,  as  they  feed  upon  tlie  wild  rice,  which  grows  in 
ahundance  in  wet  places  round  these  islands.  It  is  said  that 
each  hunter,  in  one  winter,  will  catch  one  thousand  raccoons. 

It  is  a  received  opinion  among  the  Indians  that  the  snakes 
and  raccoons  are  transmigratory,  and  that  a  great  many  of  the 
snakes  turn  raccoons  every  fall,  and  raccoons  snakes  every 
spring.  This  notion  is  founded  on  observations  made  on  the 
snakes  and  raccoons  in  this  island. 

As  the  raccoons  here  lodge  in  rocks,  the  trappers  make  their 
wooden  traps  at  the  mouth  of  the  holes  ;  and  as  they  go  daily 
to  look  at  their  traps,  in  the  winter  season,  they  commonly  find 
tliem  filled  with  raccoons  ;  but  in  the  spring,  or  when  the  frost 
is  out  of  the  ground,  they  say,  they  then  find  their  traps  filled 
with  large  rattlesnakes  ;  and  therefore  conclude  that  the  rac- 
coons are  transformed.  They  also  say  that  the  reason  why 
they  are  so  remarkably  plenty  in  the  winter,  is,  every  fall  the 
snakes  turn  raccoons  again. 

I  told  them  that  though  I  had  never  landed  on  any  of  ihese 
islands,  yet,  from  the  unanimous  accounts  I  had  received,  I 
believed  that  both  snakes  and  raccoons  were  plenty  there ;  but 
no  doubt  they  all  remained  there  both  summer  and  winter, 
Qnly  the  snakes  were  not  to  be  seen  in  the  latter ;  yet  I  did 
not  believe  that  they  were  transmigratory. 

These  islands  are  but  seldom  visited;  because  early  in  the 
spring,  and  late  in  the  fall,  it  is  dangerous  sailing  in  their  bark 
canoes ;  and  in  the  summer  they  are  so  infested  with  various 
kinds  of  serpents,  (but  chiefly  rattlesnakes,)  that  it  is  danger- 
ous landing. 

I  shall  now  quit  this  digression,  and  return  to  the  result  of 
the  council  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  We  concluded  to  coast 
it  round  the  lake,  and  in  two  days  we  came  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Miami  of  the  Lake,  and  landed  on  Cedar  Point,  where  we 
remained  several  days.  Here  we  held  a  council,  and  con- 
cluded we  would  take  a  driving  hunt  in  concert  and  in  part- 
nership. 

The  river  in  this  place  is  about  a  mile  broad,  and  as  it  and 
the  lake  forms  a  kind  of  neck,  which  terminates  in  a  point,  all 
the  hunters  (which  were  fifty-three)  went  up  the  river,  and 
we  scattered  ourselves  from  the  river  to  the  lake.  When  we 
first  began  to  move  we  were  not  in  sight  of  each  other,  but  as 


\ 


■■ 


the  lake. 

>;t  in  si<j;ht 

i're(iue!it- 

1,  oxcppl- 

here  but 
igly  lar<;''e 
grows   in 

said  that 
raccoons, 
he  snakes 
any  of  the 
kes  every 
ide  on  the 

make  their 
\y  go  daily 
monly  find 
m  the  frost 
traps  filled 
lat  the  rac- 
reason  why 
ery  fall  the 

ny  of  these 
received,  1 
there;  but 

md  winter, 
yet  I  did 

early  in  the 
n  their  bark 
;ith  various 
is  danger- 

le  result  of 
ded  to  coast 
le  mouth  of 
t,  where  we 
1,  and  con- 
md  in  part- 

d  as  it  and 

a  point,  all 

river,  and 

When  we 

)ther,  but  as 


COLONEL  S3IlTirS  CArTIVITY. 


223 


1 


we  all  raised  the  yell,  we  could  move  rpQ"ularly  toofether  by 
the  noise.  At  length  we  came  in  sight  of  each  other,  and 
appeared  to  be  marching  in  good  order  ;  before  we  came  to 
the  point,  both  the  squaws  and  boys  in  the  canoes  were  scat- 
tered up  the  river  and  along  the  lake,  to  prevent  the  deer  from 
making  their  escape  by  v/ater.  As  we  advanced  near  the  point 
the  guns  began  to  crack  slowly,  and  after  some  time  the  fir- 
ing was  like  a  little  engagement.  The  sfjuaws  and  boys  were 
busy  tomahawking  the  deer  in  the  water,  and  we  shooting 
them  down  on  the  land.  We  killed  in  all  about  thirty  deer, 
though  a  great  many  made  their  escape  by  water. 

We  had  now  great  feasting  and  rejoicing,  as  we  had  plenty 
of  homony,  venison  and  wild  fowl.  The  geese  at  this  time 
appeared  to  be  preparing  to  move  southward.  It  might  be 
asked  what  is  meant  by  the  geese  preparing  to  move.  The 
Indians  represent  them  as  holding  a  great  council  at  this  time 
concerning  the  weather,  in  order  to  conclude  upon  a  day,  that 
they  may  all  at  or  near  one  time  leave  the  northern  lakes,  and 
wing  their  way  to  the  southern  bays.  When  matters  are 
brought  to  a  conclusion,  and  the  time  appointed  that  they  are 
to  take  wing,  then  they  say  a  great  number  of  expresses  are 
sent  ofT,  in  order  to  let  the  differeni  ribes  know  the  result  of 
this  council,  that  they  may  be  all  in  readiness  to  move  at  the 
time  appointed.  As  there  is  a  great  commotion  among  the 
geese  at  this  time,  it  would  appear  by  their  actions  that  such 
a  council  had  been  held.  Certain  it  is  that  they  are  led  by 
instinct  to  act  in  concert,  and  to  move  off  regulai.y  after  their 
leaders. 

Here  our  company  separated.  The  chief  part  of  them  went 
up  the  Miami  river,  which  empties  into  lake  Erie  at  Cedar 
Point,  whilst  we  proceeded  on  our  journey  in  company  with 
Tecaughretanego,  Tontileaugo,  and  two  families  of  the  Wyan- 
dots. 

As  cold  weather  was  now  approaching,  we  began  to  feel 
the  doleful  eflects  6f  extravagantly  and  foolishly  spending  the 
large  quantity  of  beaver  we  had  taken  in  our  last  winter's 
hunt.  We  were  all  nearly  in  the  same  circumstances ;  scarce- 
ly one  had  a  shirt  to  his  back  ;  but  each  of  us  had  an  old 
blanket,  which  we  belted  round  us  in  the  day,  and  slept  in  at 
night,  with  a  deer  or  bear  skin  under  us  for  our  bed. 

When  we  came  to  the  falls  of  Sandusky,  we  buried  our 
birch-bark  canoes,  as  usual,  at  a  large  burying-place  for  that 
purpose,  a  little  below  the  falls.  At  this  place  the  river  falls 
about  eight  feet  over  a  rock,  but  not  perpendicularly.  With 
much  difficulty  we  pushed  up  our  wooden  canoes ;  some  of  us 
went  up  the  river,  and  the  rest  by  land  with  the  horses,  until 


fif 


i 


•; 


M 


I! 


If 


224 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


we  came  to  the  i^rcat  meadows  or  prairie?,  tliat  lie  between 
Sandusky  and  Soiola. 

Wlien  \vc  came  to  this  place,  we  met  with  some  Ottawa 
hunters,  and  ai^recd  with  them  to  take  what  they  call  a  rini'' 
hunt,  in  partnership.  We  waited  until  we  e.xpected  rain  was 
near  rallin<T  to  cxtin(,niish  tlie  fire,  and  then  we  kindled  a  l;ir<j;'e 
circle  in  the  prairie.  At  this  time,  or  before  the  bucks  i)ec:an 
to  run,  a  ji^reat  number  of  deer  lay  concealed  in  the  i^rass,  in 
the  day,  and  moved  about  in  the  nig-ht ;  but  as  the  fire  burned 
in  towards  the  centre  of  the  circle,  the  deer  fled  before  the  fire; 
the  Indians  were  scattered  also  at  some  distance  before  the  fire, 
and  shot  them  down  every  opporttmity,  which  was  very  fre- 
quent, especially  as  the  circle  became  small.  When  we  came 
to  divide  the  deer,  there  were  about  ten  to  each  hunter,  which 
were  all  killed  in  a  few  hours.  The  rain  did  not  come  on  that 
night  to  put  out  the  outside  circle  of  the  fire,  and  as  the  wind 
arose,  it  extended  through  the  whole  prairie,  which  was  about 
fifty  miles  in  length,  and  in  some  places  nearly  twenty  in 
breadth.  This  put  an  end  to  our  ring  hunting  this  season,  and 
was  in  other  respects  an  injury  to  us  in  the  hunting  business ; 
so  that  upon  the  whole  we  received  more  harm  than  benefit 
by  our  rapid  hunting  frolic.  We  then  moved  from  the  north 
end  of  the  glades,  and  encamped  at  the  carrying  place. 

This  place  is  in  the  plains,  betwixt  a  creek  that  empties  into 
Sandusky  and  one  that  runs  into  Sciota.  And  at  the  time  of 
high  water,  or  in  the  spring  season,  there  is  but  about  one  half 
mile  of  portage,  and  that  very  level,  and  clear  of  rocks,  timber, 
or  stones ;  so  that  with  a  little  digging  there  may  be  water 
carriage  the  whole  way  from  Sciota  to  lake  Erie. 

From  the  mouth  of  Sandusky  to  the  falls  is  chiefly  first  rate 
land,  lying  flat  or  level,  intermixed  with  large  lodies  of  clear 
meadows,  where  the  grass  is  exceedingly  rank,  and  in  many 
places  three  or  four  feet  high.  The  timber  is  oak,  hickory, 
walnut,  cherry,  black  ash,  elm,  sugar-tree,  buckeye,  locust  and 
beech.  In  some  places  there  is  wet  timber  land — the  timber 
in  these  places  is  chiefly  water  ash,  sycamore,  or  button-wood. 

From  the  falls  to  the  prairies,  the  land  lies  well  to  the  sun  ; 
it  is  neither  too  flat  nor  too  hilly,  and  is  chiefly  first  rate ;  the 
timber  nearly  the  same  as  below  the  falls,  excepting  the  water 
ash.  There  is  also  here  some  plats  of  beech  land,  that  appears 
to  be  second  rate,  as  it  frequently  produces  spice-wood.  The 
prairie  appears  to  be  a  tolerably  fertile  soil,  though  in  many 
places  too  wet  for  cultivation  ;  yet  I  apprehend  it  would  pro- 
duce timber,  were  it  only  kept  from  fire. 

The  Indians  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  squirrels  plant  all 
the  timber,  as  they  bury  a  number  of  nuts  for  food,  and  only 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


225 


a  riiitj;' 


ono  at  a  piaco.  Whon  a  s([iiirn>I  is  killod,  the  various  kinds 
of  nuts  thus  l)iiri(Ml  will  i^row. 

I  liavp  ohsiTvcd  that  when  thosp  prairies  have  oiilv  rsrapod 
fire  lor  one  year,  near  where  a  siiiLrle  tree  stodd  ihrr*'  was  a 
younif  ^■rowtli  of  tiinher  npposcd  to  he  planted  hy  th«'  scpiir- 
rels.  IJiit  when  th«'  prairies  were  aijain  hurned,  all  this  young- 
P^rowtli  was  immediately  consumed  ;  as  the  fire  raises  in  the 
fi^rass  to  sufli  a  pilch,  that  numhers  of  raccoons  are  therehy 
burned  to  death. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  prairie,  or  hetwixt  tliat  and  Sciota, 
there  is  a  larire  ])ody  of  first  rate  land — the  limher,  walnut,  lo- 
cust, suLfar-tree,  huckeye,  cherry. ash,  elm,  mulherry. plum-trees, 
spice-wood,  hiack  haw,  ri'd  haw,  oak,  ami  hickory. 

Ahout  the  lime  the  bucks  (pi it  runninpf.  Ton ti lean cjo,  hi.s  wife 
and  children,  TecauuhretaneLTo,  his  son  Nuni^aney  ami  myself, 
left  the  VV^yandot  camps  at  the  carrvintj  place,  and  crossed  the 
Sciota  river  at  the  south  viid  of  tli  ■  e-|ades,  and  proceeded  on 
about  a  south-west  course  to  a  lartre  creek  called  Ollentanjify, 
which  I  believe  interlocks  with  tin  waters  of  the  Miami,  and 
empties  into  Sciota  on  the  west  side  thereof.  From  the  soutli 
end  of  the  prairie  to  Ollcutaniry  there  is  a  larufe  quantity  of 
beech  land,  intermixed  with  first  rate  land.  Here  Ave  made 
our  winter  hut,  and  had  considerable  success  in  liuntinq-. 

After  some  time,  one  of  Tontileauu;o's  step-sons  (a  lad  about 
cif^ht  years  of  age)  offended  him,  and  he  gave  the  boy  a  mode- 
rate whipping,  which  much  displeased  his  Wyandot  wife.  She 
acknowledged  that  the  boy  was  guilty  of  a  fault,  but  thought 
that  he  ought  to  have  been  ducked,  which  is  their  usual  mode 
of  chastisement.  She  said  she  could  not  bear  to  have  her  son 
whipped  like  a  servant  or  slave;  and  she  was  so  displeased, 
that  when  Tontileaugo  went  out  to  hunt,  she  got  her  two 
liorses,  and  all  her  effects,  (as  in  this  country  the  husband  and 
wife  have  separate  interests,)  and  moved  back  to  the  Wyandot 
camp  that  we  had  left. 

When  Tontileaugo  returned,  he  was  much  disturbed  on 
hearing  of  his  wife's  elopement,  and  said  that  he  would  never 
go  after  l^er,  were  it  not  that  he  was  afraid  that  she  would  get 
bewildered,  and  that  his  children  that  she  had  i,Ji<en  with  her 
might  suffer.  Tontileaugo  went  after  his  wife,  and  wlven  they 
met  they  made  up  the  quarrel ;  and  he  never  returned,  but  left 
Tecauirhretanego  and  his  son,  (a  boy  about  ten  years  of  age,) 
and  myself,  who  remained  here  in  our  hut  all  winter. 

Tecaughretanego  had  been  a  first-raie  warrior,  statesman 
and  hunter,  and  though  he  was  now  near  sixty  years  of  age, 
was  yet  equal  to  the  common  run  of  liunlers,  but  subject  to 
the  rheumatism,  which  deprived  him  of  the  use  of  his  legs. 


)■  if 


ii 


i 


I 


H 


I!  J 


226 


COLONEL  SMITHS  CAPTIVITY. 


Shortly  after  Toiitilpaniro  left  iis,  Tf'cauc-hretnnp^n  bprntr.e 
lame,  and  could  sr-arccly  ualU  out  of  our  liiit  ior  two  months. 
I  had  considciiihlc  success  in  hunliuu-  and  Irappiuir.  ThouLdi 
TocauL''hr«'tanoiro  ciiduird  much  pain  and  misery.  y«'t  h<'  liorc 
it  all  with  \vo>)d(iful  paiieuci',  and  would  olien  endeavor  to 
entertain  me  with  cheer 'ul  conversation.  Sometimes  he  would 
appliiud  me  lor  my  diligence,  skill  and  activity  ;  and  at  other 
time.s  he  would  take  u^reat  cam  in  tjivinjr  inc  in.struction.s  con- 
cerning th(!  huntint'f  and  trajipinii^  business.  He  would  also 
tell  m(!  that  it  I  laih'd  of  >uccess  we  would  sufler  very  much, 
as  we  were  ahout  forty  miles  from  any  one  livin*:,  that  we  knew 
of;  yet  he  would  not  intimate  that  he  aj)pr(dn'nde(l  we  wore  in 
any  danger,  hut  still  supposed  that  I  was  fully  adequate  to  the 
task. 

Tontileauoo  loft  us  a  little  before  (/hristmas,  and  from  that 
until  some  time  in  February  we  had  always  plenty  of  bear 
meat,  venison,  &c.  During  this  time  1  killed  much  more  than 
wo  could  use,  but  having  no  horses  to  carry  in  what  I  killed,  I 
left  part  of  it  in  the  woods.  In  February,  there  cam(>  a  snow, 
with  a  crust,  which  made  a  great  noise  when  walking  on  it, 
and  frightened  away  the  deer ;  and  as  bear  and  beaver  were 
scarce  here,  we  got  entirely  out  of  provision.  After  I  had 
hunted  two  day.s  without  eating  any  thing,  and  had  very  short 
allowance  for  some  days  before,  I  returned  late  in  the  evening, 
faint  and  weary.  When  I  came  into  our  hut,  Tecaui,'hretane- 
go  asked  what  success.  I  told  him  not  any.  He  asked  me  if 
I  was  not  very  hungry.  I  replied  that  the  keen  appetite  seem- 
ed to  be  in  some  measure  removed,  but  I  wn?  both  faint  and 
weary.  He  connnanded  Nunganey,  his  little  son,  to  bring  me 
something  to  eat,  and  he  brought  me  a  kettle  with  some  bones 
and  broth.  After  eating  a  few  mouthfuls,  my  appetite  violently 
returned,  and  I  thought  the  victuals  had  a  most  agreeable  rel- 
ish, though  it  was  only  fox  and  wildcat  bones,  which  lay  about 
the  camp,  which  the  ravens  and  turkey-buzzards  had  picked  ; 
these  Nunganey  had  collected  and  boiled,  until  the  sinews  that 
remained  on  the  bones  would  strip  off.  I  speedily  finished 
my  allowance,  such  as  it  was,  and  when  I  had  ended  my  sweet 
repast,  Tecaughretanego  asked  me  how  I  felt.  1  told  him  that 
I  was  much  refreshed.  He  then  handed  me  his  pipe  and  pouch, 
and  told  me  to  take  a  smoke.  I  did  so.  He  then  said  he  had 
something  of  importance  to  tell  me,  if  I  was  now  composed 
and  ready  to  hear  it.  I  told  him  that  I  was  ready  to  hear  him. 
He  said  the  reason  why  he  deferred  his  speech  till  now  v/as 
because  few  men  are  in  a  right  humor  to  hear  good  talk  when 
they  are  extremely  hungry,  as  they  are  then  generally  fretful 
and  discomposed,  but  as  you  appear  now   to  enjoy  calmness 


1  liprnn;c 
inoMths. 
'I'liuiiifh 
t  lu'  bore 
Icavor  In 
lu'  wdiild 
I  Ml  oilier 
ioiis  con- 
)nld  also 
ry  much, 
we  knew 
e  were  in 
ate  lo  the 

from  lluu 
;    ol'  bear 
More  than 
I  killed,  I 
e  n  snow, 
injcf  on  it, 
aver  were 
ter  I  Imd 
I'cry  short 
^  evening, 
ojiretane- 
ked  me  if 
tile  seem- 
j'aint  and 
bring"  me 
)me  bones 
3  violently 
,^eable  rel- 
lay  about 
d  picked  ; 
news  that 
y  finished 
my  sweet 
I  him  that 
nd  pouch, 
id  he  had 
composed 
hear  him. 
now  v/as 
talk  when 
illy  fretful 
'  calmness 


COLONIAL  SMITH'S    CAI'TIVITV. 


827 


and   serenity   of  mind,    I    will   now  coinmnnicalo   to  you   the 
ihoiii^bts  of  my  heart,  and  ihox*  lhin'.r>  thai  1  know  to  be  true. 

"  lirof/ui\ — As  y«)U  have  lived  with  the  while  people,  you 
have  not  had  the  same  advanlair);  of  knowincf  that  the  ij:rent 
Bi'imj  above  f-eds  his  p.-ople.  and  i^'ivcs  them  tbrir  im-at  in  duo 
season,  as  we  liulians  have,  who  arc  tr('(|ii('iitly  out  nt  provi- 
sions, and  yet  are  wnnileiTully  >upplit(l,  and  that  so  Irecpiently, 
that  it  is  evidently  the  hand  of  the  i^-reat  ( )\vaneryo*  thai  doth 
this.  Wherc.'as  the  while  people  have  commonly  lari^M*  stocks 
of  t.ime  cattle,  that  they  can  kill  when  they  please,  and  also 
their  barns  and  cribs  tilled  wiib  y:rain,  and  thcrclbre  have  not 
the  same  opportunity  of  sceinir  and  knowing  that  they  are 
supporleil  by  the  Uuler  of  heaven  and  earth. 

"  lirofkrr, — 1  know  ibal  you  are  now  afraid  that  we  will  all 
perish  wiih  buMLrer,  Iml  you  have  no  just  reason  to  fear  this. 

"  Brother, — I  have  been  young,  but  m\\  now  old  ;  I  have 
been  frequently  under  the  like  ciroiinstances  that  we  now  are, 
and  that  some  time  or  other  in  ainmst  every  year  of  my  life; 
yet  1  have  hitherto  been  suj)ported,  and  my  wants  supplied  in 
time  of  need. 

"  Brother, — Owaneeyo  sometimes  suffers  us  lo  be  in  want, 
in  order  to  teach  us  our  dependence  upon  hitn,  and  to  let  us 
know  that  we  arc  to  love  and  serve  him  ;  and  likewise  to  know 
the  worth  of  the  favors  that  we  receive,  and  to  make  us  more 
thankful. 

"  Brother, — Be  assured  that  you  will  be  supplied  with  food, 
and  that  just  in  the  right  time  ;  but  you  must  contimie  diligent 
in  the  use  of  means,  do  to  sleep,  and  rise  early  in  the  mim- 
ing and  go  a  iiunling  ;  be  strong,  and  exert  yourself  like  a  man, 
and  the  Great  Spirit  will  direct  your  way." 

The  next  morning  1  went  out,  and  steered  about  an  east 
courst».  I  proceeded  on  slowly  for  about  five  miles,  and  saw 
deer  frecpiently ;  but  as  the  crust  on  the  snow  made  a  great 
noise,  they  were  always  running  before  I  spied  them,  so  that  I 
could  not  get  a  shot.  A  violent  appetite  returned,  and  1  be- 
came intolerably  hungry.  It  was  now  that  I  concluded  I  would 
run  off  to  Pennsylvania,  my  native  c(,untry.  As  the  snow  was 
0!i  the  ground,  and  Indian  liunters  almost  the  whole  of  the  way 
before  me,  I  had  but  a  poor  prospect  of  making  my  escape,  but 
my  case  appeared  desperate.  If  I  staid  here.  I  thought  I  would 
perish  with  hunger,  and  if  I  met  with  Indians  they  could  but 
kill  me. 

I  then  proceeded  on  as  fiist  as  I  could  walk,  and  when  I  got 

*  This  is  the  name  of  God,  in  their  tongue,  and  signifies  the  owner  and 
rulor  of  all  things. 


I 


,»     l! 


*    I 


If-** 


228 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  CAPTIVITY. 


ill 


U' 


about  ten  or  tvvclvo  miles  from  our  hut,  I  came  upon  fresh 
budiilo  tracks;  I  pnrsuf'd  after,  and  in  a  short  time  came  in 
sii^iii  of  them  as  they  were  passiui,'-  ihronirh  a  small  f;iade. 
I  ran  willi  all  my  mii^ht  and  hea(h.>d  tlieni,  where  I  lay  in  am- 
bush, and  killed  a  very  large  cow.  1  immediately  kindled  a 
fire  and  heiran  to  roast  meat,  but  could  not  wait  till  it  was  done; 
I  ate  it  almost  raw.  When  hunger  was  abated.  I  ben-an  to  bo 
tenderly  concerne«d  for  my  old  Indian  brother  and  the  little  boy 
I  had  left  in  a  perishing  condition.  I  made  haste  and  packed 
up  what  meat  I  could  carry,  secured  what  I  left  from  the  wolves, 
and  returned  homewards. 

I  scarcely  thought  on  the  old  man's  speech  w'hile  I  was 
almost  distracted  with  hunger,  but  on  my  return  was  much 
affected  with  it,  reflected  on  myself  for  my  hard-heartedness 
and  ingratitude,  in  attempting  to  run  off  and  leave  the  venera- 
ble old  man  and  little  boy  to  perish  with  hunger.  I  also  coii- 
sidered  how  remarkably  the  old  man's  speech  had  been  verified 
in  our  providentially  obtaining  a  supply.  I  thought  also  of 
that  part  of  his  speech  which  treated  of  the  fractious  disposi- 
tions of  hungry  people,  which  was  the  only  excuse  T  had  for 
my  base  inhumanity,  in  attempting  to  leave  them  in  the  most 
deplorable  situation. 

As  it  was  moonlight,  I  got  home  to  our  hut,  and  found  the 
old  man  in  his  usual  good  humor.  He  thanked  me  for  my 
exertion,  and  bid  me  sit  down,  as  I  must  certainly  be  fatigued, 
and  he  comm.anded  Nunganey  to  make  haste  and  cook.  I  told 
him  I  would  cook  for  him,  and  let  the  boy  lay  some  meat  on 
the  coals  for  himself;  which  he  did,  but  ate  it  almost  raw,  as 
I  had  done.  I  immediately  hung  on  ihe  kettle  with  some  wa- 
ter, and  cut  the  beef  in  thin  slices,  and  jiut  them  in.  When  it 
had  boiled  a  while,  I  proposed  taking  it  off  the  fire,  but  the  old 
man  replied,  "  let  it  be  done  enough."  This  he  said  in  as 
patient  and  unconcerned  a  manner  as  if  he  had  not  wanted 
one  single  meal.  He  commanded  Nunganey  to  eat  no  more 
beef  at  that  time,  lest  he  might  hurt  himself,  but  told  him  to 
sit  down,  and  after  some  time  he  might  sup  some  broth  ;  this 
connnand  he  reluctantly  obeyed. 

When  we  were  all  refreshed,  Tecaughretanego  delivered  a 
speech  upon  the  necessity  and  pleasure  of  receiving  the  neces- 
snry  snnpoiis  of  life  willi  thankfulness,  knowing  that  Owanee- 
yo  is  the  great  giver.  Such  speeches  from  an  Indian  may  be 
thought  by  those  who  are  unac(|uainted  with  them  altogether 
incredible  ;  but  when  we  reflect  on  the  Indian  war,  we  may 
readily  conclude  that  they  are  not  an  ignorant  or  stupid  sort  of 
people,  or  they  would  not  have  been  such  fatal  enemies.  When 
they  came  into  our  country  they  outwitted  us  j  and  when  we 


COLONEL  SxMITH'S   CAPTIVITY. 


229 


upon  fresh 
Tie  camp  in 
mall    o'lade. 

lay  ill  am- 
y  kindled  a 
t  was  done ; 
be  can  to  be 
\v  little  boy 
and  packed 
the  wolves, 

•bile  I  was 
was  much 
hcartedness 
the  venera- 
I  also  con- 
een  verified 
Jght  also  of 
ous  disposi- 
ie  T  had  for 
in  the  most 

d  found  the 

me  for  my 

be  fatigued, 

3ok.     1  told 

mo  meat  on 

nost  raw,  as 

h  some  wa- 

Whcn  it 

but  the  old 

:  said   in  as 

not  wanted 

?at  no  more 

told    him  to 

broth ;  this 

delivered  a 
^  the  neces- 
at  Owanee- 
ian  may  be 
altogether 
ar,  we  may 
upid  sort  of 
ies.  When 
id  when  we 


sent  armies  into  their  country,  they  outircneralled  and  beat  us 
with  inferior  I'oive.  Let  us  also  take  into  consideration  that 
Tecaughretanego  was  no  common  person,  but  was  amoun-  the 
Indians  as  Socrates  in  the  ancient  heathen  world  ;  and  ii  may 
be  equal  to  him,  if  not  in  wisdom  and  in  learning,  yet  perhaps 
in  patience  and  fortitude.  Notwithstanding  Tecaughretanego's 
uncommon  natural  abilities,  yet  in  the  sequel  of  this  history 
you  will  see  the  deficiency  of  the  light  of  nature,  unaided  by 
revelation,  in  this  truly  great  man. 

The  next  morning  Tecaughretanego  desired  me  to  go  back 
and  bring  another  load  of  bufialo  beef.  As  I  proceeded  to  do 
so,  about  five  miles  from  our  hut  I  found  a  bear  tree.  As  a 
sapling  grew  near  the  tree,  and  reached  near  the  hole  that  the 
bear  went  in  at,  I  got  dry  dozed  or  rotten  wood,  that  would 
catch  and  hold  fire  almost  as  well  as  spunk.  This  wood  I  tied 
up  in  bunches,  fixed  thein  on  my  back,  and  then  climbed  up 
the  sapling,  and  with  a  pole  I  put  them,  touched  with  fire,  into 
the  hole,  and  then  came  down  and  took  my  gun  in  my  hand. 
After  some  time  the  bear  came  out,  and  I  killed  and  skinned 
it,  packed  up  a  load  of  the  meat,  (after  securing  the  remainder 
from  the  wolves,)  and  returned  home  before  night.  On  my 
return,  my  old  brother  and  his  son  were  much  rejoiced  at  my 
success.     After  this  we  had  plenty  of  provisions. 

We  remained  here  until  some  time  in  April,  175S.  At  this 
time  Tecaugretanego  had  recovered  so  that  he  could  walk  about. 
We  made  a  bark  canoe,  embarked,  and  went  down  Ollentangy 
some  distance,  but  the  water  being  low,  we  were  in  danger  of 
splitting  our  canoe  upon  the  rocks  ;  therefore  Tecaughretan- 
ego concluded  we  would  encamp  on  shore,  and  pray  for  rain. 

When  we  encamped  Tecaughretanego  made  himself  a  sweat 
house,  which  he  did  by  sticking  a  number  of  hoops  in  the 
ground,  each  hoop  forming  a  semicircle  ;  this  he  covered  all 
round  with  blanlcets  and  skins.  He  then  prepared  hot  stones, 
which  he  rolled  into  this  hut,  and  then  went  into  it  himself 
with  a  little  kettle  of  water  in  his  hand,  mixed  with  a  variety 
of  herbs,  which  he  had  formerly  cured,  and  had  now  with  him 
in  his  pack  ;  they  afforded  an  odoriferous  perfume.  When  he 
was  in,  he  told  me  to  pull  down  the  blankets  behind  him,  and 
cover  all  up  close,  which  I  did,  and  then  he  began  to  pour 
water  upon  the  hot  stones,  and  to  sing  aloud.  He  continued 
in  this  vehement  hot  place  about  fifteen  minutes.  All  this  he 
did  in  order  to  purify  himself  before  he  would  address  the 
Supreme  Being.  When  he  came  out  of  his  sweat  house,  he 
began  to  burn  tobacco  and  pray.  H(!  began  each  petition  with 
oh,  ho,  ho,  ho,  which  is  a  kind  of  aspiration,  and  signifies  an 
ardent  wish.     I  observed  that  all  his  petitions  were  only  for 

20 


\n 


i       '. 


i'     Tt 


230 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   CAPTIVITY. 


immc'diato   or  pres(?nt  temporal  blessings.     He  began  his  ad- 
dress by  thanksgiving  in  the  following  manner  : 

"  O  Great  Being !  I  thank  thee  that  I  have  obtained  the 
use  of  my  legs  again  ;  that  I  am  now  able  to  walk  about  and 
kill  turkeys,  &c.  without  feeling  exquisite  pain  and  misery. 
I  know  that  thou  art  a  hearer  and  a  helper,  and  therefore  I  will 
call  upon  thee. 
"  Ok,  ho,  ho,  ho, 

"  Grant  that  my  knees  and  ankles   may  be  right  well,  and 
that  I  may  be  able,  not  only  to  walk,  but  to   run  and   to  jump 
logs,  as  1  did  last  fall. 
"  Oh,  ho,  ho,  ho, 

"  Grant  that  on  this  voyage  we  may  frequently  kill  bears,  as 
they  may  be  crossing  the  Sciota  and  Sandusky. 
"  Oh,  ho,  ho,  ho, 

"  Grant  that  we  may  kill  plenty  of  turkeys  along  the  banks, 
to  stew  with  our  fat  bear  meat. 
"  Oh,  ho,  ho,  ho, 

"  Grant  that  rain  may  come  to  raise  the  Ollentangy  about 
two  or  throe  feet,  that  we  may  cross  in  safety  down  to  Sciota, 
without  danger  of  our  canoe  being  wrecked  on  the  rocks. 
And  now,  O  Great  Being!  thou  knowest  how  matters  stand; 
thou  knowest  that  I  am  a  great  lover  of  tobacco,  and  though  I 
know  not  when  I  may  get  any  more,  1  now  make  a  present  of 
the  last  I  have  unto  thee,  as  a  free  burnt  offering ;  therefore  I 
expect  thou  wilt  hear  and  grant  these  requests,  and  I,  thy  ser- 
vant, will  return  thee  thanks,  and  love  thee  for  thy  gifts." 

During  the  whole  of  this  scene  I  sat  by  Tecaughretanego, 
and  as  he  went  through  it  with  the  greatest  solemnity,  I  was 
seriously  affected  with  his  prayers.  I  remained  duly  com- 
posed until  he  came  to  the  burning  of  the  tobacco ;  and  as  1 
knew  that  he  was  a  great  lover  of  it,  and  saw  him  cast  the  last 
of  it  into  the  lire,  it  excited  in  me  a  kind  of  merriment,  and 
I  insensibly  smiled.  Tecaughretanego  observed  me  laughing, 
which  displeased  him,  and  occasioned  him  to  address  me  in 
the  following  manner. 

"  Brother :  I  have  somewhat  to  say 'to  you,  and  I  hope  you 
will  not  be  offended  when  I  tell  you  of  your  faults.  You 
know  that  when  you  were  reading  your  books  in  town  I  would 
not  let  the  boys  or  any  one  disturb  you ;  but  now,  when  I  was 
praying,  1  saw  you  laughing.  I  do  not  think  that  you  look 
upon  praying  as  a  foolish  thing;  I  believe  you  pray  yourself. 
But  perhaps  you  may  think  my  mode  or  manner  of  praying 
foolish  ;  if  so,  you  ought  in  a  friendly  manner  to  instruct  me, 
and  not  make  sport  of  sacred  things." 

I  acknowledged  my  error,  and  on   this  he  handed  me  his 


COLONEL   SMITHS   CAPTIVITY. 


231 


in  his  ad- 

inod  the 
[iboul  and 
1  misery, 
ore  1  will 


well,  and 
to  jump 

1  bears,  as 

the  banks, 


ng-y  about 
to  Sciota, 
he  rocks, 
ers  stand; 
though  I 
present  of 
herefore  I 
I,  thy  ser- 

riftS." 

hretanego, 
lity,  I  was 
duly  com- 
;  and  as  I 
.St  the  last 
ment,  and 
laughing, 
•ess  me  in 

hope  you 
ilts.  You 
m  I  would 
hen  i  was 

you  look 
r  yourself. 
)f  praying- 
struct  me, 

>d  me  his 


\ 


pipe  to  smoke,  in  token  of  friendship  and  reconciliation,  though 
at  this  time  he  had  nothing  to  smoke  but  red  willow  bark.  I 
told  him  something  of  the  method  of  reconciliation  'vith  an 
offended  God,  as  revealed  in  my  Bible,  wlii'di  I  had  then  in 
possession.  Ho  said  that  he  likinl  my  story  better  than  that 
of  the  French  priests,  but  he  thought  that  he  was  now  too  old 
to  begin  to  learn  a  new  religion,  therefore  he  should  coiuinue 
to  worship  God  in  the  way  that  he  had  been  taught,  ajid  tiiat 
if  salvation  or  future  happiness  was  to  be  had  in  his  way  of 
worship,  he  expected  he  would  obtain  it,  and  if  it  was  incon- 
sistent with  the  honor  of  the  Great  Spirit  to  accept  of  him  in 
his  own  way  of  worship,  he  hoped  that  Owaneeyo  would 
accept  of  him  in  the  way  I  had  mentioned,  or  in  some  oiher 
way,  though  he  might  now  be  ignorant  of  the  channel  through 
Avhich  favor  or  mercy  might  be  conveyed.  He  said  that  he 
believed  that  Owaneeyo  would  hear  and  help  every  one  that 
sincerely  waited  upon  him. 

Here  we  may  see  how  far  the  light  of  nature  could  go;  per- 
haps we  see  it  here  almost  in  its  highest  extent.  Notwith- 
standing the  just  views  that  this  great  man  entertained  of 
Providence,  yet  we  now  see  him  (though  he  acknowledged  his 
guilt)  expecting  to  appease  the  Deity,  and  procure  his  favor, 
by  burning  a  little  tobacco.  We  may  observe  that  all  heathen 
nations,  as  far  as  we  can  find  out  either  by  tradition  or  the 
light  of  nature,  agree  with  revelation  in  this,  that  sacrifice  is 
necessary,  or  that  some  kind  of  atonement  is  to  be  made  in 
order  to  remove  guilt  and  reconcile  them  to  God.  This, 
accompanied  with  numberless  other  witnesses,  is  sufficient 
evidence  of  the  rationality  of  the  truth  of  the  Scriptures. 

A  few  days  after  Tecaughretanego  had  gone  through  his 
ceremonies  and  finished  his  prayers,  the  rain  came  and  raised 
the  creek  a  sufficient  height,  so  that  we  passed  in  safety  down 
to  Sciota,  and  proceeded  up  to  the  carrying  place.  Let  us 
now  describe  the  land  on  this  route  from  our  winter  hut,  and 
down  Ollentangy  to  the  Sciota,  and  up  it  lo  the  carrying  place. 

About  our  win;er  cabin  is  chiefly  first  and  second  rate  land. 
A  considerable  way  up  Ollentanufy,  on  the  south-west  side 
thereof,  or  betwixt  it  and  the  Miami,  there  is  a  very  large 
prairie,  and  from  this  prairie  down  Ollentangy  to  Sciota  is 
generally  first  rate  land.  The  timber  is  walnut,  sugar-tree, 
ash,  buckeye,  locust,  wild  cherry,  and  spice-wood,  intermixed 
with  some  oak  aiul  beech.  From  the  mouth  of  Ollentangy, 
on  the  east  side  of  Sciota,  up  to  the  carrying  place,  there  is  a 
large  body  of  first  and  second  rate  land,  and  tolerably  well 
watered.  The  timber  is  ash,  sugar-tree,  walnut,  locust,  oak, 
and  beech.     Up  near  the  carrying  place  the  land  is  a  little 


1 


m 


232 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   CAPTIVITY. 


i 


i- 


f     li 

f;       f! 


hilly,  but  the  soil  good.  Wc  proceeded  from  this  place  down 
Sandusky,  and  in  our  passage  we  killed  four  bears  and  a 
number  of  turkeys.  Tccaughrctanego  appeared  now  fully 
persuaded  that  all  this  came  in  answer  to  his  prayers,  and  who 
can  say  with  any  degree  of  certainty  that  it  was  not  so  ? 

When  we  came  to  the  little  lake  at  the  mouth  of  Sandusky, 
we  called  at  a  Wyandot  town  that  was  then  there,  called 
Sunyendeand.  Here  Ave  diverted  ourselves  several  days  by 
catching  rock  fish  in  a  small  creek,  the  name  of  which  is  also 
Sunyendeand,  which  signifies  rock  fish.  They  fished  in  the 
night  wiih  lights,  and  struck  the  fish  with  gigs  or  spears.  The 
rock  fish  here,  when  they  begin  first  to  run  up  the  creek  to 
spawn,  are  exceedingly  fat,  sufficiently  so  to  fry  themselves. 
The  first  night  we  scarcely  caught  fish  enough  for  present 
use  for  all  that  was  in  the  town. 

The  next  morning  I  met  with  a  prisoner  at  this  place  by 
the  name  of  Thompson,  who  had  been  taken  from  Virginia. 
He  told  me,  if  the  Indians  would  only  omit  disturbing  the  fish 
for  one  night,  he  could  catch  more  fish  than  the  whole  town 
could  make  use  of.  I  told  ]\Ir.  Thompson  that  if  he  was  cer- 
tain he  could  do  this,  that  I  would  use  my  influence  with  the 
Indians  to  let  the  fish  alone  for  one  night.  I  applied  to  the 
chiefs,  who  agreed  to  my  proposal,  and  said  they  were  anxious 
to  see  what  the  Great  Knife  (as  they  called  the  Virginian) 
could  do.  Mr.  Thompson,  with  the  assistance  of  some  other 
prisoners,  set  to  work,  and  made  a  hoop-net  of  elm  bark  ;  they 
then  cut  down  a  tree  across  the  creek,  and  stuck  in  stakes  at 
the  lower  side  of  it  to  prevent  the  fish  from  passing  up,  leaving 
only  a  gap  at  the  one  side  of  the  creek ;  here  he  sat  with  his 
net,  and  when  he  felt  the  fish  touch  the  net  he  drew  it  up,  and 
frequently  would  haul  out  two  or  three  rock  fish  that  would 
weigh  about  five  or  six  pounds  each.  He  continued  at  this 
until  he  had  hauled  out  about  a  wagon  load,  and  then  left  the 
gap  open  in  order  to  let  them  pass  up,  for  they  could  not  go 
far  on  account  of  the  shallow  water.  Before  day  Mr.  Thomp- 
son shut  it  up,  to  prevent  them  from  passing  down,  in  order  to 
let  the  Indians  have  some  diverrion  in  killing  them  in  daylight. 

When  the  news  of  the  fish  came  to  town,  the  Indians  all 
collected,  and  with  surprise  beheld  the  large  heap  of  fish,  and 
applauded  the  ingenuity  of  the  Virginian.  When  they  saw 
the  number  of  them  that  were  confined  in  the  water  above  the 
tree,  the  young  Indians  ran  back  to  the  town,  and  in  a  short 
time  returned  with  their  spears,  gigs,  bows  and  arrows,  &c., 
and  were  the  chief  part  of  that  day  engaged  in  killing  rock 
fish,  insomuch  that  we  had  more  than  we  could  use  or  pre- 
serve.    As  we  had  no  salt,  or  any  way  to  keep  them,  they  lay 


ce  down 
s  and  a 
)\v  fully 
and  who 

I  n  (In  sky, 
2,  called 
days  by 
h  is  also 
J  in  the 
•s.  The 
creek  to 
mselves. 
present 

place  by 

Virginia, 

the  fish 

)le  town 

was  cer- 

vvith  the 

d  to  the 

anxious 

rginian) 

ne  other 

k ;  they 

takes  at 

leaving 

ivith  his 

lip,  and 

t  would 

at  this 

left  the 

not  go 

riiomp- 

order  to 

aylight. 

ians  all 

ish,  and 

ley  saw 

ove  the 

a  short 

V'S,  &c., 

n^  rock 

or  pre- 

bey  lay 


COLONEL   SMITHS    CAPTIVITY. 


233 


( 


upon  the  banks,  and  after  some  time  great  numbers  of  turkey- 
buzzards  and  eagles  collected  together  and  devoured  them. 

Shortly  after  this  we  left  Sunycndeand,  and  in  three  days 
arrived  at  Detroit,  where  we  remained  this  summer. 

Some  time  in  May  we  heard  th't  General  Forbes,  with 
seven  thousand  men,  was  preparini;  to  carry  on  a  campaign 
against  fort  Du  Quesne,  which  then  stood  near  where  fort 
Pitt  was  afterwards  erected.  Upon  receiving  this  news,  a 
number  of  ruimers  were  sent  ofT  by  the  French  commander  at 
Detroit  to  urge  the  different  tribes  of  Indian  warriors  to  repair 
to  fort  Du  Quesne. 

Some  time  in  July,  1758,  the  Ottawas,  Jibewas,  Potowato- 
mies,  and  Wyandots,  rendezvoused  at  Detroit,  and  marched  off 
to  fort  Du  Quesne,  to  prepare  for  the  encounter  of  General 
Forbes.  The  common  report  was  that  they  would  serve  him 
as  they  did  General  Braddock,  and  obtain  much  plunder. 
From  this  time  until  fall,  we  had  frequent  accounts  of  Forbes's 
army,  by  Indian  runners  that  were  sent  out  to  watch  their 
motion.  Tiiey  espied  them  frequently  from  the  mountains 
ever  afte'*  vhey  left  fort  Loudon.  Notwithstanding  their  vigi- 
lance. Colonel  Grant,  with  his  Highlanders,  stole  a  march  upon 
them,  and  in  the  night  took  possession  of  a  hill  about  eighty 
rods  from  fort  Du  Quesne ;  this  hill  is  on  that  account  called 
Grant's  Hill  to  this  day.  The  French  and  Indians  knew  not 
that  Grant  and  his  men  were  there,  until  they  beat  the  drum 
and  played  upon  the  bagpipes  just  at  daylight.  They  then 
flew  to  arms,  and  the  Indians  ran  up  under  cover  of  the  banks 
of  Alleghany  and  Monongahela  for  some  distance,  and  then 
sallied  out  from  the  banks  of  the  I'ivers,  and  took  possession  of 
the  hill  above  Grant ;  and  as  he  was  on  the  point  of  it,  in  sight 
of  the  fort,  they  immediately  surrounded  him,  and  as  he  h  id 
his  Highlanders  in  ranks,  and  in  very  close  order,  and  the 
Indians  scattered  and  concealed  behind  trees,  they  defeated 
him  with  the  loss  only  of  a  few  warriors ;  most  of  the  High- 
landers were  killed  or  taken  prisoners. 

After  this  defeat  the  Indians  held  a  council,  but  were  divided 
in  their  opinions.  Soine  said  that  General  Forbes  would  now 
turn  back,  and  go  home  the  way  that  he  came,  as  Dunbar  had 
done  when  General  Braddock  was  defeated ;  others  supposed 
he  would  come  on.  The  French  urged  the  Indians  to  stay 
and  see  the  event ;  but  as  it  was  hard  for  the  Indians  to  be 
absent  from  their  squav/s  and  children  at  this  season  of  the 
year,  a  great  many  of  them  returned  home  to  their  hunting. 
After  this,  the  remainder  of  the  Indians,  some  French  regulars, 
and  a  number  of  Canadians,  marched  off  in  quest  of  General 

near  fort  Ligoneer,  and  attacked 


ir 


'  i     11 


n 


ill 


They 


20=»«= 


army 


•    1 


li 


it      la 


^ 


t    I 


234 


COLONEL    SMITH'S  CAPTIVIIY. 


them,  but  were  frustrated  in  their  ('  -gn.  They  said  that 
Forbes's  men  were  beginning  to  learn  ihe  art  of  war,  and  that 
there  were  a  great  number  of  Amorican  riflemen  along  with 
the  red-coats,  who  scattered  out,  took  trees,  and  were  good 
marksmen;  therefore  they  found  they  could  not  accomplish 
their  design,  and  were  obliged  to  retreat.  When  they  returned 
from  the  battle  to  fort  Du  Quesne,  the  Indians  concluded  that 
they  would  go  to  their  hunting.  The  French  endeavored  to 
persuade  them  to  stay  and  try  another  battle.  The  Indians 
said  if  it  was  only  the  red-coats  they  had  to  do  with,  they 
could  soon  subdue  them,  but  they  could  not  withstand  Asha- 
lecoa,  or  the  Great  Knife,  which  was  the  name  they  gave  the 
Virginians.  They  then  returned  home  to  their  hunting,  and 
the  French  evacuated  the  fort,  which  General  Forbes  came 
and  took  possession  of,  without  further  opposition,  late  in  the 
year  1758,  and  at  this  time  began  to  build  fort  Pitt. 

When  Teciughretanego  had  heard  the  particulars  of  Grant's 
defeat,  he  said  that  he  could  not  well  account  for  his  contra- 
dictory and  inconsistent  conduct.  He  said,  as  the  art  of  war 
consists  in  ambushing  and  surprising  our  enemies,  and  in 
preventing  them  from  ambushing  and  surprising  us,  Grant,  in 
the  first  place,  acted  like  a  wise  and  experienced  warrior  in 
artfully  approaching  in  the  night  without  being  discovered ; 
but  when  he  came  to  the  place,  and  the  Indians  were  lying 
asleep  outside  of  the  fort,  between  him  and  the  Alleghany 
river,  in  place  of  slipping  up  quietly,  and  falling  upon  them 
with  their  broadswords,  they  beat  the  drums  and  played  upon 
the  bagpipes.  He  said  he  could  account  for  this  inconsistent 
conduct  no  other  way  than  by  supposing  that  he  had  made  too 
free  with  spirituous  liquors  during  the  night,  and  became 
intoxicated  about  daylight.     But  to  return. 

This  year  we  hunted  up  Sandusky  and  down  Sciota,  and 
took  nearly  the  same  route  that  we  had  done  the  last  hunting 
season.  We  had  considerable  success,  and  returned  to  Detroit 
some  time  in  April,  1759. 

Shortly  after  this,  Tecaughretanego,  his  son  Nungany  and 
myself,  went  from  Detroit  (in  an  elm-bark  canoe)  to  Caughne- 
waga,  a  very  ancient  Indian  town,  about  nine  miles  above 
Montreal,  where  I  remained  until  about  the  first  of  July.  I 
then  heard  of  a  French  ship  at  Montreal  that  had  English 
prisoners  on  board,  in  order  to  carry  them  over  sea  and  ex- 
change them.  I  went  privately  off  from  the  Indians,  and  got 
also  on  board ;  but  as  General  Wolfe  had  stopped  the  river  St. 
Lawrence  we  were  all  sent  to  prison  in  Montreal,  where  I 
remained  four  months.  Some  time  in  November  we  were  all 
sent  off  from  this  place  to  Crown  Point,  and  exchanged. 


aid  that 
and  that 
iuv;  with 
^rc  good 
:omplish 
returned 
ided  that 
ivored  to 
Indians 
ith,  they 
nd  Asha- 
gave  the 
ling,  and 
)es  came 
te  in  the 

f  Grant's 
IS  contra- 
rt  of  war 
,  and  in 
Grant,  in 
'arrior  in 
^covered ; 
ere  lying 
lleghany 
)on  them 
yed  upon 
onsistent 
made  too 
I  became 

Mota,  and 
t  hunting 
,0  Detroit 

gany  and 

3aughne- 

es  above 

July.     I 

English 

and  ex- 
;,  and  got 

river  St. 

where  I 
!  were  all 

2d. 


COLONEL    SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


235 


Early  in  the  year  1700, 1  came  home  to  Conococheague,  and 
found  that  my  people  could  never  asccrlain  whclhcr  I  was 
killed  or  taken  until  my  return.  They  received  me  with  gr(>at 
joy,  but  were  surprised  to  see  me  so  mucii  like  an  Indian  both 
in  my  gait  and  gesture. 

Upon  in([uiry,  I  found  that  my  sweetheart  was  married  a 
few  days  before  I  arrived.  My  feelings  I  must  leave  on  this 
occasion  for  those  of  my  readers  to  judge  v/ho  have  felt  the 
pangs  of  disappointed  love,  as  it  is  impossible  now  for  me  to 
describe  the  emotion  of  soul  I  felt  at  that  time. 

Now  there  was  peace  with  the  Indians,  which  lasted  until 
the  year  1763.  Some  time  in  May,  this  year,  I  married,  and 
about  that  time  the  Indians  again  commenced  hostilities,  and 
were  busily  engaged  in  killing  and  scalping  the  frontier  inha- 
bitants in  various  parts  of  Pennsylvania.  The  whole  Cono- 
cocheague valley,  from  the  North  to  the  South  Mountain,  had 
been  almost  entirely  evacuated  during  Braddock's  war.  This 
state  was  then  a  Quaker  government,  and  at  the  first  of  this 
war  the  frontiers  received  no  assistance  from  the  state.  As 
the  people  were  now  beginning  to  live  at  home  again,  they 
thought  it  hard  to  be  drove  away  a  second  time,  and  were 
determined,  if  possible,  to  make  a  stand  ;  therefore  they  raised 
as  much  money  by  collections  and  subscriptions  as  would  pay 
a  company  of  riflemen  for  several  months.  The  subscribers 
met,  and  elected  a  committee  to  manage  the  business.  The 
committee  appointed  me  captain  of  this  company  of  rangers, 
and  gave  me  the  appointment  of  my  subalterns.  I  chose  two 
of  the  most  active  young  men  that  I  could  find,  who  had  also 
been  long  in  captivity  with  the  Indians.  As  we  enlisted  our 
men,  we  dressed  them  uniformly  in  the  Indian  manner,  with 
breech-clouts,  leggins,  moccasins,  and  green  shrouds,  which 
we  wore  in  the  same  manner  that  the  Indians  do,  and  nearly 
as  the  Highlanders  wear  their  plaids.  In  place  of  hats  we 
wore  red  handkerchiefs,  and  painted  our  faces  red  and  black 
like  Indian  warriors.  I  taught  them  the  Indian  discipline,  as 
I  knew  of  no  other  at  that  time,  which  would  answer  the 
purpose  much  better  than  British.  We  succeeded  beyond 
expectation  in  defending  the  frontiers,  and  were  extolled  by 
our  employers.  Near  the  conclusion  of  this  expedition  I 
accepted  of  an  ensign's  commission  in  the  regular  service, 
under  King  George,  in  what  was  then  called  the  Pennsylvania 
line.  Upon  my  resignation,  my  lieutenant  succeeded  me  in 
command  the  rest  of  the  time  they  were  to  serve.  In  the 
fall  (the  same  year)  I  went  on  the  Susquehanna  campaign 
against  the  Indians,  under  the  command  of  General  Armstrong. 
In  this  route  we  burnt  the  Delaware  and  Monsey  towns,  on 


rl 


I  i 


236 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


the  west  branch  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  dostroyeel  all  their 


corn. 


In  the  year  1764  I  received  a  lieutenant'.s  commission,  and 
went  out  on  General  Boucjuot's  campaig-n  ai^niinst  the  Indians 
on  the  Muskinijum.  Here  we  brought  them  to  terms,  and 
promised  to  be  at  peace  with  them,  upon  condition  that  they 
would  ^ive  up  all  our  people  that  they  had  then  in  captivity 
among  them.  They  then  delivered  unto  us  three  hundred  of 
the  prisoners,  and  said  that  they  could  not  collect  them  all  at 
this  time,  as  it  was  now  late  in  the  year,  and  they  were  far 
scattered;  but  they  promised  that  they  would  bring  them  all 
into  fort  Pitt  early  next  spring,  and  as  security  that  they 
would  do  this,  they  delivered  to  us  six  of  their  chiefs  as  hci- 
tages.  Upon  this  we  settled  a  cessation  of  arms  for  six  months, 
and  promised,  upon  their  fulfilling  the  aforesaid  condition,  to 
make  with  them  a  permanent  peace. 

A  little  below  fort  Pitt  the  hostages  all  made  their  escape. 
Shortly  after  this  the  Indians  stole  horses  and  killed  some  peo- 
ple on  the  frontiers.  The  king's  proclamation  was  then  circu- 
lating and  set  up  in  various  public  places,  prohibiting  any  per- 
son from  trading  with  the  Indians  until  further  orders. 

Notwithstanding  all  this,  about  the  first  of  March,  1765,  a 
number  of  wagons,  loaded  with  Indian  goods  and  warlike 
stores,  were  sent  from  Philadelphia  to  Henry  Pollens,  Cono- 
cocheague,  and  from  thence  seventy  pack  horses  were  loaded 
with  these  goods,  in  ord'^''  ir  carry  them  to  fort  Pitt.  This 
alarmed  the  country,  and  Mr.  William  Duffield  raised  about 
fifty  armed  men,  and  met  the  pack  horses  at  the  place  where 
Mercersburg  now  stands.  Mr.  DufReld  desired  the  employers  to 
store  up  their  goods,  and  not  proceed  until  further  orders.  They 
made  light  of  this,  and  went  over  the  North  Mountain,  where 
they  lodged  in  a  small  valley  called  the  Great  Cove.  Mr.  Duf- 
field and  his  party  followed  after,  and  came  to  their  lodging,  and 
again  urged  them  to  store  up  their  goods ;  he  reasoned  with  them 
on  the  impropriety  of  the  proceedings,  and  the  great  danger 
the  frontier  inhabitants  would  be  exposed  to,  if  the  Indians  should 
now  get  a  supply  :  he  said,  as  it  was  well  known  that  they 
had  scarcely  any  ammunition,  and  were  almost  naked,  to  supply 
them  now  would  be  a  kind  of  murder,  and  would  be  illegally 
trading  at  the  expense  of  the  blood  and  treasure  of  the  fron- 
tiers. Notwithstanding  his  powerful  reasoning,  these  traders 
made  game  of  what  he  said,  and  would  only  answer  him  by 
ludicrous  burlesque. 

When  I  beheld  this,  and  found  that  Mr.  Duffield  would  not 
compel  them  to  store  up  their  goods,  I  collected  ten  of  my  old 
warriors,  that  I  had  formerly  disciplined  in  the  Indian  way,  went 


1 


" 


COLONEL  SMITH'S  ADVENTURES. 


237 


1 


off  privately  after  niirht,  and  encamped  in  t!;e  woods.  The 
next  day,  as  usual,  we  hhicked  and  painted,  and  waylaid  them 
near  Sideloni''  Hill.  I  scattered  my  men  ai)Out  t'or'y  rod  along 
the  side  of  the  road,  and  ordered  every  two  to  take  a  tree,  and 
about  eight  or  ten  rod  between  each  cou])le,  with  orders  to 
keep  a  reserve  fire,  one  not  to  fire  until  his  comrade  had  loaded 
liis  gun  ;  by  this  means  we  kept  up  a  constant.  slo\\  fire  upon 
them,  from  Iront  to  rear.  We  then  heard  nothing  of  these  tra- 
ders' merriment  or  burlestjue.  When  they  saw  their  pack- 
horses  falling  close  by  them,  they  called  out,  jyrmi,  f^c)itl<:fne7i, 
what  wouJd  you  have  us  to  do  ?  The  reply  was,  colUrt  all  your 
loads  to  the  front,  and  unload  them  in  one  place  ;  take  your 
private  property,  and  immediately  retire.  When  they  were 
gone,  we  burnt  what  they  left,  which  consisted  of  blankets, 
shirts,  Vermillion,  lead  beads,  wampum,  tomahawks,  scalping- 
knives,  &c. 

The  traders  went  back  to  .'ort  Loudon,  and  applied  to  the 
commanding  officer  there,  and  got  a  party  of  Highland  soldiers, 
and  went  with  them  in  quest  of  the  robbers,  as  they  called  us; 
and  without  applying  to  a  magistrate  or  obtaining  any  civil 
authority,  but  barely  upon  suspicion,  they  took  a  number  of 
creditable  persons  prisoners,  (who  were  chiefly  not  any  way 
concerned  in  this  action,)  and  confined  them  in  the  guard- 
house  in  fort  Loudon.  I  then  raised  three  hundred  riflemen, 
marched  to  fort  Loudon,  and  encamped  on  a  hill  in  sight  of 
the  fort.  We  were  not  long  there,  until  we  had  more  than 
double  as  many  of  the  British  troops  prisoners  in  our  camp 
as  they  had  of  our  people  in  the  guard-house.  Captain  Grant, 
a  Highland  officer,  who  commanded  fort  Loudon,  then  sent  a 
flag  of  truce  to  our  camp,  where  we  settled  a  cartel,  and  gave 
them  above  two  for  one,  which  enabled  us  to  redeem  all  our 
men  from  the  guard-house,  without  further  difficulty. 

After  this,  Captain  Grant  kept  a  number  of  rifle  guns  which 
the  Highlanders  had  taken  from  the  country  people,  and  refused 
to  give  them  up.  As  he  was  riding  out  one  day,  we  took  him 
prisoner,  and  detained  him  until  he  delivered  up  the  arms  ; 
we  also  destroyed  a  large  quantity  of  gunpowder  that  the  tra- 
ders had  stored  up,  lest  it  might  be  conveyed  privately  to  the 
Indians.  The  king's  troops  and  our  party  had  now  got  entirely 
out  of  the  channel  of  the  civil  law,  and  many  unjustifiable 
things  were  done  by  both  parties.  This  convinced  me  more 
than  ever  I  had  been  before  of  the  absolute  necessity  of  the 
civil  law  in  order  to  govern  mankind. 

About  this  time  the  following  song  was  composed  by  Mr. 
George  Campbell,  (an   Irish  gentleman,  who  had  been  edu- 


i 


i 


COLONEL  SMITHS  ADVENTURES. 

catod    in  Dublin,)  and  was   freijiicnlly  sun<j  to  the  tune  of  the 
Black  Joke. 


Yi!  patriot  souls,  who  hive  to  sitif,'. 
Who  serve  your  country  and  your  king, 

In  wcailh,  pcai'i'  and  royal  estate  : 
Attenlion  Ljive  whilst  I  rehearse 
A  modern  laet  in  jinulini;  verse, 
How  party  intfrf>t  strove  what  it  could 
To  profit  ilseli'liy  puhlir  Mood, 

But  justly  met  its  merited  fate. 

Let  all  those  Indian  traders  claim 
Their  just  reward,  inudoiious  lame, 

For  vile,  base  and  treacherous  ends. 
To  Pollens,  in  the  sprinfr,  they  setit 
Much  warlike  stores,  with  an  intent 
To  carry  theiii  to  our  barbarous  foes, 
Expecting;  that  nolxtdy  dare  oppose, 

A  present  to  tlieir  Indian  friends. 

Astonish'd  at  the  wild  desig;n, 
Frontier  inhabitants  condiiu'd 

With  brave  souls  to  stop  their  career , 
Although  some  men  aposlatiz'd, 
Who  first  the  grand  attempt  advis'd, 
The  bold  frontiers  they  bravely  stocd, 
To  act  for  their  king  and  their  country's  good. 

In  joint  league,  and  strangers  to  fear. 

On  March  the  fifth,  in  sixty-five, 
The  Indian  presents  did  arrive. 

In  long  pomp  and  cavalcade. 
Near  Sidelong  Hill,  where  in  disguise 
Some  patriots  did  their  train  .surprise, 
And  quick  as  lightning  tumbled  their  loads, 
And  kindled  tliem  bonfires  in  the  woods. 

And  mostly  burnt  their  whole  brigade. 

At  Loudon  when  they  heard  the  news, 
They  scarcely  knew  which  way  to  choose, 

For  blind  rage  and  discontent ; 
At  length  some  soldiers  they  sent  out, 
With  guides  I'or  to  conduct  the  route, 
And  seized  some  inen  that  Avere  trav'ling  there, 
And  hurried  them  into  Loudon,  where 

They  laid  them  fast  with  one  consent. 

But  men  of  resolution  thought 

Too  much  to  see  their  neighbors  caught 

For  no  crime  but  false  surmise  ; 
Forthwith  they  join'd  a  warlike  band. 
And  march'd  to  Loudon  out  of  hand. 
And  kept  the  jailers  pns'ners  there, 
Until  our  friends  enlarged  were, 

Without  fraud  or  any  disguise. 


\ 


COLONEL  SMITH'S   ADVENTURES, 


239 


le 


of  the 


Let  maiiKiiid  ••riisiiiv  or  r()imi.''ni'. 
Tlii>  rii>li  |»TruniKiii(f  111  ilu-  »'ii(l. 

Tlicii  hotli  siilos  will  find  tlu.ir  accoum. 
"Ti^  true  111)  l;i\v  ci^n  iii>tily 
Ti»  hum  <nir  iii-i'-'litidr's  property. 
Bui  when  tills  property  is  dcsit'ird 
To  serve  ilie  eiu'iiiieN  ot'  miiiikiiid, 

It's  lii^'li  tieiiMiii  111  the  iunouiil. 


After  this,  wv  kept  up  a  iruard  of  men  on  tlio  frotiliors,  for 
several  inoiilhs,  to  prevent  supjilies  licino-  sent  to  t'  e  Indians, 
until  it  was  procUiuned  that  Sir  William  Johnson  had  made 
peace  with  them,  and  then  wc  let  the  traders  pass  umnolested. 

In  the  year  17()(),  I  heard  that  Sir  William  Johnson,  the 
king's  agent  for  settling  aliixirs  with  the  Indians,  had  purchased 
from  them  all  the  land  west  of  the  Appalaehian  Mountains  that 
lay  be  .ween  the  Ohio  and  Cherokee  river  ;  and  as  I  knew  by 
conversing  with  the  Indians  in  their  own  tongue  that  there 
was  a  large  body  of  rich  land  there,  I  concluded  I  would  take 
a  tour  westward  and  exphire  that  country. 

I  set  out  about  the  hist  of  June,  1766,  and  went  in  the  first 
place  to  Holstein  river,  and  from  thence  I  travelled  westward 
in  com)>any  with  Joshua  Horton,  Uriaii  Stone,  William  IJaker 
and  James  Smith,  who  came  from  near  Carlisle.  There  were 
only  four  white  men  of  us,  and  a  mulatto  slave  about  eigh- 
teen years  of  age,  that  Mr.  Horton  had  with  him.  We  ex- 
plored the  country  south  of  Kentucky,  and  there  w^as  no  more 
sign  of  white  men  there  then  than  there  is  now  west  of  the 
head  waters  of  the  Missouri.  We  also  explored  Cumberland 
and  Tennessee  rivers,"  from  Stone's^  river  down  to  the  Oliio. 

When  we  came  to  the  mouth  of  Termessee,  my  fellow- 
travellers  concluded  that  they  would  jiroceed  on  to  the  Illinois, 
and  see  some  more  of  the  land  to  the  west  ;  this  I  would  not 
agree  to.  As  I  liad  already  been  longer  from  home  than  what 
I  expected,  I  thouglit  my  wife  would  be  distressed,  and  think  I 
was  killed  by  t.'ie  Indians  ;  therefore  I  concluded  that  I  would 
return  home,  I  sent  my  horse  wiili  my  fellow-travellers  to 
the  Illinois,  as  it  was  difficult  to  take  a  horse  through  the 
mountains.  iMy  comrades  gave  me  the  greatest  part  of  the 
aminunitiop  they  then  had,  which  amounted  only  to  half  a  pound 
of  powder,  and  lead  e([uivalent.  Mr.  Horton  also  lent  me  his 
mulatto  boy,  and  I  then  set  off  through  the  wilderness  for  Caro- 
lina. 


*  Stone's  river  is  a  south  branch  of  Cumberland,  and  empties  into  it 
above  Nashville.  We  first  ^ave  it  this  name  in  our  journal,  in  May,  1767, 
after  one  of  my  fellow-travellers.  Mr.  Uriah  Stone,  and  I  am  tuld  that  it 
rctams  the  same  name  unto  this  day. 


! 


r  ■ 


!•  7 


Hi 


•t 

■  r 


\'f       I 


240 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  ADVKNTUHES. 


About  cicfht  (lays  after  T  left  my  cntniiaiiy  at  the  month  of 
'rciiiK'sscc,  on  my  ionnicy  ca.'^lward,  1  jjot  a  I'aiu'  stalt  in  my 
foot,  wlucli  occasioiu'cl  my  Ic^  to  svvi'll,  and  I  siilltTfil  iiuicli 
pain.  I  was  now  in  a  (Inlcfiil  situation  ;  far  from  any  of  the 
human  species,  excepline"  Mack  Jamie, or  thesava^^es,  and  I  knew 
not  when  I  niiLfht  meet  with  them.  My  case  ap|)eare(l  despe- 
rate, and  I  thoii^Mit  sonuithinu^  must  l)e  (h>ne.  All  tin-  sur^ni'al 
instruments  I  had  was  a  knife,  a  moccasin  awl,  and  a  pair  of 
bullet-moulds;  with  thes(>  I  determined  to  draw  the  sna<,'  from 
my  foot,  if  possible.  I  stuck  the  awl  in  the  skin,  and  with 
the  knife  I  cut  the  flesh  away  Irom  around  the  cane,  and  then 
I  commanded  the  mulatto  fellow  to  catch  it  with  the  bullet- 
moulds,  and  pull  it  out,  which  he  did.  »Vhen  I  .^aw  it,  it 
seemed  a  shockini^  thinir  to  be  in  any  person's  fool ;  it  will  there- 
fore bo  supposed  that  I  was  very  ^dad  to  have  it  out.  The 
black  fellow  attended  upon  me,  aiul  obeyed  my  directions  faith- 
fully. I  ordered  him  to  search  for  Indian  medicine,  and  told 
him  to  get  me  n  rpiantity  of  bark  from  the  root  of  a  lynn  tree, 
which  I  made  hiin  beat  on  a  stone,  with  a  tomahawk,  and 
boil  it  in  a  kettle,  and  with  the  ooze  I  bathed  my  foot  and  leg; 
what  remained  when  I  had  finisl  "d  bathing  1  boiled  to  a  jelly 
and  made  poultices  thereof.  As  1  had  no  rags,  I  made  use  of 
the  green  moss  that  grows  upon  logs,  and  wrapped  it  round  with 
elm  bark  ;  by  this  means,  (simple  as  it  may  seem,)  the  swell- 
ing and  inflammation  in  a  great  im>asuro  aliated.  As  stormy 
weather  appeared,  I  ordered  Jamie  to  make  us  a  shelter,  which 
he  did  by  erecting  forks  and  poles,  and  covering  them  over 
with  cane  tops,  like  a  fodder  house.  It  was  about  one  hun- 
dred yards  from  a  large  buflalo  road.  As  we  were  almost  out 
of  provision,  I  commanded  Jamie  to  take  my  gun,  and  I  went 
along  as  well  as  I  could,  concealed  myself  near  the  road,  and 
killed  a  buflalo.  When  this  was  done,  we  jerked"^  the  lean, 
and  fried  the  tallow  out  of  the  fat  meat,  which  we  kept  to  stew 
with  our  jerk  as  we  needed  it. 

While  I  lay  at  this  place,  all  the  books  I  had  to  read  was  a 
psalm-book  and  Watts  upon  Prayer.  Whilst  in  thjs  situation, 
I  composed  the  following  verses,  which  I  then  frequently  sung. 

Six  weeks  I've  in  this  desert  been, 

With  one  mulatto  Ind  : 
ExccjUinj^  this  poor  stupid  slave, 

No  company  I  had. 

*  Jerk  is  a  name  well  known  by  the  hunters  and  frontier  inhabitants 
for  meat  cut  in  small  pieces  and  laid  on  a  scaflbld,  over  a  slow  fire, 
whereby  it  is  roasted  until  it  is  thoroughly  dry. 


■  mouth  of 
ic'ili   iti   my 
•rt'd   much 
Miiy  of  the 
iuid  I  Knew 
in-d  drspc- 
he  .-^ur^^iciil 
1  :i  i-air  of 
^M;l<,'•  from 
I,  and  willi 
,  and  then 
tho   hulk'l- 
saw   it,  it 
will  there- 
out.    The 
tions  faith- 
e,  atui  told 
lynn  tree, 
hawk,  and 
)t  and  le^^ ; 
to  a  jelly 
ado  use  of 
"ound  with 
the  swell- 
As   stormy 
Iter,  which 
them  over 
one  hun- 
almost  out 
md  I  went 
road,  and 
■  the  lean, 
'pt  to  stew 

?ad  was  a 

situation, 

ntly  sung. 


inhabitants 
.  slow  fire, 


COLONKL  SMITH'S   ADYKNTITRES.  241 

In  scliuiili*  I  h<'i«'  pMiiiiiti, 

A  iri|i|>li!  Vfiy  sop', 
No  Irii'inl  or  iifiu'lilior  In  W  I'uiitid, 

My  rasf  tor  to  di-jilort'. 

I'm  (lir  from  liom<',  fur  from  ih<'  wife 

Willi  li  III  my  lioMiin  l;iy, 
Far  IVoiii  ilif  cliildn'ii  iloar,  \vhn'h  used 

Arotiinl  iiic  I'oi  i<i  jiliiy. 

This  (l((Ic('iil  <ii<'umsi!inrt'  cannot 

iVTy  h:i|i|Min'ss  pn-vciit. 
While  [iciicc  of  coiiMiciH'c  1  enjoy, 

Great  comfort  and  cotilt-nt. 

I  continued  in  this  place  until  I  could  walk  slowly,  withotit 
crutches.  As  I  now  lay  near  a  c^reat  hulfalo  road,  I  wa» 
afraid  that  the  Indians  inioht  he  passing' that  way,  and  discover 
my  fire-place,  therefore  I  moved  off  some  distance,  where  I 
remained  until  1  killed  an  (dk.  As  my  foot  was  yet  soro,  I 
conchided  that  I  would  stay  here  until  it  was  healed,  lest  by 
travelling  too  soon  it  might  again  he  inflamed. 

In  a  few  weeks  after  I  proceeded  on,  and  in  October  I 
arrived  in  Carolina.  I  had  now  been  eleven  months  in  the 
wilderness,  and  during  this  time  I  neither  saw  bread,  money, 
women,  nor  spirituous  liquors ;  and  three  months  of  which  I 
saw  none  of  the  human  species,  except  Jamie. 

When  I  came  into  the  settlement,  my  clothes  were  almost 
worn  out,  and  the  boy  had  nothing  on  him  that  ever  was  spun. 
He  had  buckskin  legtrius,  moccasins,  and  breech-clout;  a  bear- 
skin dressed  with  the  hiiir  on,  which  he  belted  about  him,  and 
a  raccoon-skin  cap.  I  had  not  travelled  far  after  I  came  in 
before  I  was  strictly  examined  by  the  inhabitants.  I  told  ihcrn 
the  truth,  and  where  I  came  from,  <Scc.;  but  my  story  app(;ared 
so  strange  to  them  that  they  did  noi  believe  me.  They  said 
that  they  had  never  heard  of  any  one  coming  tlirou'^di  the 
mountains  from  the  mouih  of  Tennessee,  and  if  anyone  would 
undertalco  such  a  journey,  surely  no  man  would  lend  him  his 
slave.  They  said  that  they  thotiirhl  that  all  1  had  told  them 
were  lies,  and  on  suspicion  they  look  me  into  custody,  and  set 
a  guard  ovci  me. 

While  I  was  confined  liere,  I  met  with  a  reputable  old 
acquaintance,  who  voluntarily  became  my  voucher,  and  also 
told  me  of  a  number  of  my  acquaintances  that  now  lived  near 
this  place,  who  had  moved  from  Pennsylvania ;  on  this 
being  made  public  I  was  liberated.  I  went  to  a  magistrate  and 
obtained  a  pass,  and  one  of  my  old  ac(iuainlances  made  me  a 
present  of  a  shirt.     I  then  cast  away  my  old  rags  ;  and  all  the 

21 


242 


COLONEL  SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


clothes  I  now  liad  was  an  old  bcavor  hat,  huckskin  letrcins,  moc- 
casins, and  a  new  sh'rt ;  also  an  old  blanket,  whitli  1  com- 
niordy  carried  on  my  back  in  good  weather.  Beinir  thng 
equipped,  I  marched  on  with  my  white  shirt  loose,  and  Jamie 
with  his  bear-skin  about  him  ;  myself  appearing  while,  and 
Jamie  very  black,  alarmed  the  dof^s  wherever  we  came,  so  that 
they  barked  violently.  The  people  frccpiently  came  out  and 
asked  me  where  we  came  from,  &c.  I  told  them  the  truth,  but 
they  for  the  most  part  suspected  my  story,  and  I  generally 
ha''  to  show  them  my  pass.  In  this  way  I  came  on  to  fort 
Chissel,  wliere  1  left  Jamie  at  Mr.  Horton's  negro  rpiarter, 
according  to  promise.  I  went  from  thence  to  Mr.  George 
Adams's,  on  Keed  Creek,  where  I  had  lodged,  and  where  I 
had  left  my  clothes  as  I  was  going  out  from  home.  When  I 
dressed  myself  in  good  clothes,  and  mounted  on  horseback,  no 
man  ever  asked  me  for  a  pass  ;  therefore  I  concluded  that  a 
horse-thief,  or  even  a  robber,  might  pass  without  interruption, 
provided  he  was  only  well  dressed,  whereas  the  shabby  villian 
would  be  immediately  detected. 

I  returned  home  to  Conococheague  in  the  fall  of  1767. 
When  I  arrived,  I  found  that  my  wife  and  friends  had  despair- 
ed of  ever  seeing  me  again,  as  they  had  heard  that  I  was  killed 
by  the  Indians,  and  my  horse  brought  into  one  of  the  Chero- 
kee towns. 

In  the  year  1769,  the  Indians  again  made  incursions  on  the 
frontiers  ;  yet  the  traders  continued  carrying  goods  and  ^^  arlike 
!?lores  to  them.  The  frontiers  took  the  alarm,  and  a  number 
of  persons  collected,  destroyed  and  plundered  a  (piantity  of 
their  powder,  lead,  &c.,  in  Bedford  county.  Shortly  after  this, 
some  of  these  persons,  with  others,  were  apprehended  and  laid 
in  irons  \n  the  guard-house  in  fort  Bedford,  on  .'suspicion  of 
being  the  perpetrators  of  this  crime. 

Though  I  did  not  altogether  approve  of  the  conduct  of  this 
new  club  of  black  boys,  yet  I  concluded  that  they  should  not 
lie  in  irons  in  the  guard-house,  or  remain  in  confinement,  by 
arbitrary  or  military  power.  I  resolved,  therefore,  if  jiosfible, 
to  release  them,  if  they  even  should  be  tried  by  the  civil  law 
afterwards.  I  collected  eighteen  of  my  old  blaclc  boys,  that  I 
had  seen  tried  in  the  Indian  war,  &c.  I  did  not  desire  a  largo 
party,  lest  they  should  be  too  much  alarmed  at  Bedford,  and 
accordintrly  ])repared  for  us.  We  marched  along  the  public 
road  in  daylight,  and  made  no  secvit  of  our  design.  We  told 
those  whom  we  met  that  we  were  going  to  take  fort  Bedford, 
which  appeared  to  them  a  very  unlikely  story.  Before  this,  I 
made  it  known  to  one  William  Thompson,  a  man  whom  I 
could  trust,  and  who  lived  there.     Him  I  employed  as  a  spy, 


I 


COLONEL  SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


243 


pins,  moc- 
fli  I  com- 
tMn<r  ihns 
and  Jamie 
while,  and 
lie,  so  that 
e  out  and 
I  truth,  but 
generally 
on  to  fort 
•o  quarter, 
Ir.  George 
id  where  I 
When  I 
rschack,  no 
dcd  that  a 
iterruplion, 
bby  villian 

1  of  1767. 
ad  despair- 
[  was  killed 
the  Chero- 

ions  on  the 
ind  V  arlike 
1  a  number 
uantity  of 
after  this, 
ed  and  laid 
iis;picion  of 

net  of  this 

should  not 

nenient,  by 

if  possible, 

e  civil  law 

)oys,  that  I 

sire  a  large 

edford,  and 

the   public 

We  told 

rt  Bedford, 

iffore  this,  I 

n   whom  I 

id  as  a  spy, 


tind  sent  him  along  on  horseback  before,  with  orders  to  meet 
me  at  a  certain  idace  near  Bedford,  one  hour  before  day.  The 
next  day  a  little  !»efore  sunset,  we  encamped  near  the  crossings 
of  Juniata,  about  fourteen  miles  from  Bedford,  and  erected 
tents,  as  though  we  intended  staying  all  night,  and  not  a  man 
in  my  company  Icnew  to  the  contrary,  save  myself.  Knowing 
that  they  would  hear  this  in  Bedford,  and  wishing  it  to  be  the 
case,  I  thought  to  sur[)rise  them  by  stealing  a  march. 

As  the  moon  rose  about  ehn-en  o'clock,  1  ordered  my  boys 
to  march  ;  and  we  went  on  at  the  rate  of  five  miles  an  hour, 
until  we  met  Thompson  at  the  place  appointed.  He  told  \is 
tliai  the  commanding  otllcer  had  fnMjuently  heard  of  us  by  tra- 
vellers, and  had  ordered  thirty  men  upon  guard.  He  sairl  they 
knew  our  number,  and  only  made  game  of  the  notion  of  eigh- 
teen men  coming  to  rescue  the  prisoners,  but  they  did  not 
expect  us  until  towards  the  middle  of  the  day.  I  aslced  him 
if  the  gate  was  open.  He  said  it  was  then  shut,  but  he  ex- 
pected they  w'ould  open  it  as  usual  at  daylight,  as  they  appre- 
hended no  danger.  I  then  moved  my  men  privately  up  under 
the  banks  of  Juniata,  where  we  lay  concealed  about  one  him- 
dred  yards  from  the  fort  gate.  I  had  ordered  the  men  to  keep 
a  profound  silence  until  we  got  into  it.  I  then  sent  off  Thomp- 
son again  to  spy.  At  daylichi  he  returned,  and  told  us  thai 
the  gate  was  open,  and  three  sentinels  were  standing  on  the 
wall  ;  that  the  guards  were  taking  a  morning  dram,  and  the 
arms  standing  together  in  one  place.  I  then  concluded  to  rush 
into  the  fort,  and  told  Thompson  to  run  before  me  to  the  arms. 
We  ran  with  all  our  might,  and  as  it  was  a  misty  morning,  the 
sentinels  scarcely  saw  us  until  we  were  within  the  gate,  and 
took  possession  of  the  arms.  Just  as  we  were  entering,  i,wo  of 
them  discha;-2^ed  their  guns,  though  I  do  not  believe  they  aimed 
at  us.  We  then  raised  a  shout,  which  surprised  the  town, 
though  some  of  them  were  well  j)k'ased  with  the  news.  We 
ampelled  a  blacksmith  to  take  the  irons  olf  the  prisoners,  and 
then  we  left  the  place.  This,  I  believe,  was  the  first  British 
fort  in  America  that  was  taken  by  what  they  called  American 
rebels. 

Some  time  after  this  I  took  a  journey  westward,  in  order  to 
survey  some  located  land  I  had  on  and  near  th(>  Youhogany. 
As  I  passed  near  Bedford,  while  I  was  walking  and  leading 
my  horse,  I  was  overtaken  by  some  men  on  horseback,  like 
travellers.  One  of  them  asked  my  name,  and  on  telling  it, 
they  immediately  pulled  out  thjir  pistols,  and  presented  tb.nn 
at  me,  calling  upon  me  to  deliver  myself,  or  I  was  a  dead  man. 
I  stepped  back,  presented  my  rifle,  and  told  them  to  stand  ofT. 
One  of  them  snapped  a  pistol  at  me,  and  another  was  prepar- 


.  1 


•\    !l 


1  ii 


244 


COLONEL  SMITHS  ADVENTURES. 


ing  to  shoot,  when  I  fired  my  piece.  One  of  them  also  fired 
near  the  same  time,  and  one  of  my  fellow-travellers  fell.  The 
assailants  then  rushed  up,  and  as'  my  gun  was  empty,  they  took 
and  tied  me.  I  charged  them  with  killing  my  fellow-traveller, 
and  told  them  he  was  a  man  that  I  had  accidentally  met  with 
on  the  road,  that  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  public  quarrel. 
They  asserted  that  1  had  killed  him.  I  told  them  that  my  gun 
blowed,  or  made  a  slow  fire  ;  that  I  had  her  from  my  face  be- 
fore she  went  off,  or  I  would  not  have  missed  my  mark  ;  and 
from  the  position  my  piece  was  in  when  it  went  off,  it  was  not 
likely  that  my  gun  killed  this  man,  yei  I  acknowledged  I  was 
not  certain  that  it  was  not  so.  They  then  carried  me  to  Bed- 
ford, laid  me  in  irons  in  the  guard-house,  summoned  a  jury  of 
the  opposite  party,  and  held  an  inquest.  The  jury  brought  me 
in  guilty  of  wilful  murder.  As  they  were  afraid  to  keep  me 
long  in  Bedford,  for  fear  of  a  rescue,  they  sent  me  privately 
through  the  wilderness  to  Carlisle,  where  I  was  laid  in  heavy 
irons. 

Shortly  after  I  came  here,  we  heard  that  a  number  of  my  old 
black  boys  wxM'e  coming  to  tear  down  the  jail.  I  told  the  she- 
riff that  I  would  not  be  rescued,  as  I  knew  that  the  indictment 
was  wrong ;  therefore  I  wished  to  stand  my  trial.  As  I  had 
found  the  black  boys  to  be  always  under  good  command,  I 
expected  I  could  prevail  on  them  to  return,  and  therefore  wish- 
ed to  write  to  them  ;  to  this  the  sheriff  readily  agreed.  I  wrote 
a  letter  to  them,  with  irons  on  my  hands,  which  was  immedi- 
ately sent ;  but  as  they  had  heard  that  I  was  in  irons,  they 
would  come  on.  When  we  heard  they  were  near  the  town,  I 
told  the  sheriff  I  would  speak  to  them  out  of  the  window,  and 
if  the  irons  were  off  I  made  no  doubt  but  I  could  prevail  on 
them  to  desist.  The  sheriff  ordered  them  to  be  taken  off,  and 
just  as  they  were  taking  off  my  bands  the  black  boys  came 
running  up  to  the  jail.  I  went  to  the  window^  and  called  to 
them,  and  they  gave  attention.  I  tcld  them,  as  my  indictment 
was  for  wilful  murder,  to  adr.iit  of  being  rescued  would  appear 
dishonorable.  I  thanked  them  for  their  kind  intentions,  and 
told  them  the  greatest  favor  they  could  confer  upon  me  would 
be  to  grant  me  this  one  request,  to  ivithdriiv  from  the  jail  and 
return  in  peace ;  to  this  they  complieu,  and  withdrew.  While 
I  was  speaking,  the  irons  were  taken  off  my  feet,  and  never 
again  put  on. 

Before  this  party  arrived  at  Conococheague,  they  met  about 
three  hundred  more  on  the  way,  coming  to  their  assistance,  and 
were  resolved  to  take  me  out ;  they  then  turned,  and  all  came 
together  to  Carlisle.  The  reason  they  gave  for  coming  again 
was,  because  they  thought  that  government  was  so  enraged  at 


COLONEL  SMITL  S  ADVENTURES. 


245 


also  fired 

ell.     The 

they  look 

-traveller, 

met  with 
c  quarrel. 
It  iny  gun 
y  face  be- 
lark  ;  and 
it  was  not 
ged  I  was 
le  to  Bed- 

a  jury  of 
rought  nie 
I  keep  me 
?  privately 
1  in  heavy 

•  of  my  old 
Id  the  she- 
indictment 

As  1  had 

ummand,  I 

fore  wish- 

.     I  wrote 

IS  immedi- 

rons,  they 

he  town,  I 

ndow,  and 

prevail  on 

en  ofT,  and 

boys  came 

I  called  to 

indictment 

uld  appear 

iitions,  and 

me  would 
he  jail  and 
w.  While 
and  never 

met  about 
stance,  and 
id  all  came 
Tiing  again 
enraged  at 


I 


me,  that  I  would  not  get  a  fair  trial.     But  my  friends  and 
myself  together  again    prevailed  on  thcni  to  nnurn  in  peace. 

At  this  lime  the  public  papers  were  partly  iillcd  with  these 
occurrences.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Pennsylva- 
nia Gazette,  No.  2132,  Nov.  2d,  17G9. 

^'Conococheagiie,  October  16M,  1769. 

"  Messrs.  Hall  &  Sellers, 

"  Please  to  give  the  following  narrative  a  place  in  your  Ga- 
zette, and  you  will  much  oblige 

"  Your  humble  servant, 

"William  SiMitii." 

"Whereas,  in  this  Gazette  of  September  2Sth,  1769,  there 
appeared  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  Bedford,  September  12th, 
1769,  relative  to  James  Smith,  as  being  apprehended  on  sus- 
picion of  being  a  black  boy,  then  killing  his  companion,  &:c.,  I 
took  upon  myself,  as  bound  by  all  the  obligations  of  trnth,  jus- 
tice to  character,  and  to  the  world,  to  set  that  matter  in  a  true 
light ;  by  which  I  hope  the  impartial  world  will  be  enabled  to 
obtain  a  more  just  opinion  of  the  present  scheme  of  acting  in 
this  end  of  the  country,  as  also  to  form  a  true  idea  of  the  truth, 
candor,  and  ingenuity  of  the  author  of  the  said  extract,  in 
stating  that  matter  in  so  partial  a  light.  The  state  of  the  case 
(which  can  be  made  appear  by  undeniable  evidence)  was  this. 
James  Smith,  (who  is  styled  the  principal  ringleader  of  the 
black  boys,  by  the  said  author,)  together  with  his  younger 
brother  and  brother-in-law,  were  going  out  in  order  to  survey 
and  improve  their  land  on  the  waters  of  Youghoghany,  and  as 
the  time  of  their  return  was  long,  they  took  with  them  their 
arms,  and  horses  loaded  with  the  necessaries  of  life ;  and  as 
one  of  Smith's  brothers-in-law  was  an  artist  in  surveying,  he 
had  also  with  him  the  instruments  for  that  business.  Travel- 
ling on  the  way,  within  about  nine  miles  of  Bedford,  they 
overtook  and  joined  company  with  one  Johnson  and  Moorhoad, 
who  likewise  had  horses  loaded,  part  of  which  loading  was 
liquor,  and  part  seed  wheat,  their  intentions  being  to  make 
improvements  on  their  lands.  When  they  arrived  at  the  part- 
ing of  the  road  on  this  side  Bedford,  the  company  separated. 
One  part  going  through  the  town,  in  order  to  gpl  a  horse  shod, 
were  apprehended,  and  put  under  confinement,  but  for  what 
crime  they  knew  not,  and  treated  in  a  manner  utterly  incon- 
sistent with  the  laws  of  their  country  and  the  liberties  of 
Englishmen  ;  whilst  the  other  part,  viz.  James  Smith,  John- 
son, and  Moorhead,  taking  along  the  other  road,  were  met  by 

21* 


ti 


f  I 


V^h 


246 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


John  Holmes,  Esq.,  lo  whom  James  Smith  spoke  in  a  friendly 
manner,  but  received  no  answer.  Mr.  Holmes  hasted,  and 
gave  an  alarm  in  Bedford,  from  whence  a  party  of  men  were 
sent  in  pursuit  of  them  ;  but  Smith  and  his  companions  not 
having  the  least  thought  of  any  such  measures  being  taken, 
(why  should  they  ?)  travelled  slowly  on.  After  they  had  gain- 
ed the  place  where  the  roads  joined,  they  delayed  until  the 
other  part  of  their  company  should  come  up.  At  this  time  a 
number  of  men  came  riding,  like  men  travelling;  they  asked 
Smith  his  name,  which  he  told  them  ;  on  which  they  imme- 
diately assaulted  him  as  a  highwayman,  and  with  presented 
pistols  commanded  him  to  su  ender  or  he  was  a  dead  man  ; 
upon  which  Smith  stepped  Luck,  asked  them  if  they  were 
highwaymen,  charging  them  at  the  same  time  to  stand  ofT, 
when  immediately  Robert  George  (one  of  the  assailants) 
snapped  a  pistol  at  Smith's  head,  and  that  before  Smith  offered 
to  shoot,  (which  said  George  himself  acknowledged  upon  oath ;) 
whereupon  Snvith  presented  his  gun  at  another  of  the  assail- 
ants, who  was  preparing  to  shoot  him  with  his  pistol.  The 
said  assailant  having  a  hold  of  Johnson  by  the  arm,  two  shots 
were  fired,  one  by  Smith's  gun,  the  other  i>om  a  pistol,  so 
quick  as  just  to  be  distinguishable,  and  Johnson  fell.  After 
which.  Smith  was  taken  and  carried  into  Bedford,  where  John 
Holmes,  Esq.,  the  informer,  held  an  inquest  on  the  corpse,  one 
of  the  assailants  being  as  an  evidence,  (nor  was  there  any  other 
troubled  about  the  matter.)  Smith  was  brought  in  guilty  of 
wilful  murder,  and  so  committed  to  prison.  But  a  jealousy 
arising  in  the  breasts  of  many,  that  the  inquest,  either  through 
inadvertency,  ignorance,  or  some  other  default,  was  not  so  fair 
as  it  ought  to  be,  William  Deny,  coroner  of  the  county,  upon 
requisition  made,  thought  proper  to  re-examine  the  matter,  and 
summoninga  jury  of  unexceptionable  men  out  of  three  townships 
— men  whose  candor,  probity,  and  honesty,  is  unquestionable 
with  all  who  are  acquainted  with  them,  and  having  raised  the 
corpse,  held  an  inquest  in  a  solemn  manner  during  three  days. 
In  the  course  of  their  scrutiny  they  found  Johnson's  shirt 
blacked  about  the  bullet-hole  by  the  powder  of  the  charge  by 
which  he  was  killed,  whereupon  they  examined  into  the  dis- 
tance Smith  stood  from  Johnson  when  he  shot,  and  one  of  the 
assailants,  being  admitted  to  oath,  swore  to  the  respective  spots 
of  ground  they  both  stood  on  at  that  time,  which  the  jury  mea- 
sured, and  found  to  be  twenty-three  feet  nearly ;  then,  trying 
the  experiment  of  shooting  at  the  same  shirt,  both  with  and 
against  the  wind,  and  at  the  same  distance,  found  no  eflfects, 
nor  the  least  stain  from  the  powder  on  the  shirt.  And  let  any 
person  that  pleases  make  the  experiment,  and  I  will  venture  to 


friendly 
led,  and 
en  were 
lions  not 
g  taken, 
ad  gain- 
intil  the 
IS  time  a 
By  asked 
ly  imme- 
)resented 
ad  man  ; 
ey  were 
stand  off, 
=sailants) 
th  offered 
on  oath ;) 
he  assail- 
ol.     The 
two  shots 
pistol,  so 
11.     After 
lere  John 
)rpse,  one 
any  other 
guilty  of 
jealousy 
r  through 
lot  so  fair 
nty,  upon 
latter,  and 
townships 
estionable 
raised  the 
iree  days, 
on's   shirt 
charge  by 
[o  the  dis- 
one  of  the 
ctive  spots 
jury  mea- 
len,  trying 
with  and 
no  effects, 
nd  let  any 
venture  to 


COLONEL   S3IITh'S   ADVENTURES. 


247 


afRrm  he  shall  find  that  powder  will  not  stain  at  half  the  dis- 
tance above  mentioned,  if  shot  out  of  a  rille  gun,  which  S  nilh's 
was.  Upon  the  whole,  the  jury,  after  the  most  accurate  exa- 
mination and  mature  deliberation,  brought  in  iheir  verdict  that 
some  one  of  the  assailants  themselves  must  necessarily  have 
been  the  perpetrators  of  the  murder. 

"  I  have  now  represented  the  matter  in  its  true  and  genuine 
colors,  and  which  I  will  abide  by.  I  only  beg  liberty  to  make 
a  few  remarks  and  reflections  on  the  above-mentioned  extract. 
The  author  says,  '  James  Smith,  with  two  others  in  company, 
passed  round  the  town,  without  touchi.iix?'  by  which  it  is  plain 
he  would  iusitmate,  and  make  the  public  believe,  that  Smith, 
and  that  part  of  the  company,  had  taken  some  by-road,  which 
is  utterly  false,  for  it  was  the  king's  highway,  and  the  straighl- 
est,  that  through  Bedford  being  sotnething  to  the  one  side  ;  nor 
would  the  other  part  of  the  company  have  gone  through  the 
tvown  but  for  the  reason  already  given.  Again,  the  author  says 
that  '  four  men  were  sent  in  pursuit  of  Smith  and  his  com- 
panions, who  overtook  them  about  five  miles  from  Bedford,  and 
commanded  them  to  surrender,  on  which  Smith  presented  hie 
gun  at  one  of  the  men,  who  was  struggling  with  his  companion, 
fired  it  at  him,  and  shot  his  companion  through  the  back.' 
Here  I  would  just  remark,  again,  the  unfair  and  partial  account 
given  of  this  matter  by  the  author.  Not  a  word  mentioned  of 
George  snapping  his  pistol  before  Smith  offered  to  shout,  or  of 
another  of  the  assailants  actually  firing  his  pistol,  though  he 
confessed  himself  afterwards  he  had  done  so ;  not  the  least 
mention  of  the  company's  baggage,  which,  to  men  in  the  least 
open  to  a  fair  in([uiry,  would  have  been  sufficient  proof  of  the 
innocence  of  their  intentions.  Must  not  an  effusive  blush 
overspread  the  face  of  the  partial  representor  of  facts,  when  he 
find?  the  veil  he  had  thrown  over  truth  thus  pulled  aside,  and 
she  exposed  to  naked  view?  Suppose  it  should  be  granted  that 
Smith  shot  the  man,  (which  is  not,  and  I  presume  never  can 
be  proved  to  be  the  case,)  I  would  only  ask,  was  he  not  on  his 
own  defence  ?  Was  he  not  publicly  assaulted  ?  Was  he  not 
charged,  at  the  peril  of  his  life,  to  surrender,  without  knowing 
for  what?  no  warrant  being  shown  him,  or  any  declaration 
made  of  their  authority.  And  seeing  these  things  are  so,  would 
any  judicious  man,  any  person  in  the  least  acquainted  with  the 
laws  of  the  land,  or  morality,  judge  him  guilty  of  wilful  mur- 
der ?  But  I  humbly  presume  every  one  who  has  an  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  this  will,  by  this  time,  be  convinced  that  the 
proceedings  against  Smith  were  truly  unlawful  and  tyrannical, 
perhaps  unparalleled  by  any  instance  in  a  civilized  nation  ; — 
for  to  endeavor  to  kill  a  man  in  the  apprehending  of  him,  in 


II. 


hi 


)'    ' 


9!  ' 

I 


I 


24S 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


order  to  bring  liitn  to  trial  for  a  fact,  and  that  too  on  a  suppos- 
ed one,  is  undoubtedly  beyond  all  bounds  of  law  or  govern- 
ment. 

"  If  the  author  of  the  extract  thinks  1  have  treated  him  un- 
fair, or  that  I  have  advanced  any  thing  he  can  controvert,  let 
him  come  forward,  as  a  fair  antagonist,  and  make  his  defence, 
and  I  will,  if  called  upon,  vindicate  all  that  I  have  advanced 
against  him  or  his  abettors. 

"  William  Smith." 

I  remained  in  prison  four  months,  and  during  this  time  I 
often  thought  of  those  that  were  confined  in  the  time  of  the 
persecution,  who  declared  their  prison  was  converted  into  a  pal- 
ace. I  now  learned  what  this  meant,  as  I  never  since  or  before 
experienced  feu  months  of  equal  happiness. 

When  the  supreme  court  sat,  I  w:as  severely  prosecuted. 
At  the  commencement  of  my  trial  the  judges,  in  a  very  unjust 
and  arbitrary  manner,  rejected  several  of  my  evidences  ;  yet, 
as  Robert  George  (one  of  those  who  was  in  the  affray  when  I 
was  taken)  swore  in  court  that  he  snapped  a  pistol  at  me 
before  I  shot,  and  a  concurrence  of  corroborating  circumstan- 
ces amounted  to  strong  presumptive  evidence  that  it  could 
not  possibly  be  my  gun  that  killed  Johnson,  the  jury,  without 
hesitation,  brought  in  their  verdict,  not  guilty.  One  of  the 
judges  then  declared  that  not  one  of  this  jury  should  ever  hold 
an  office  above  a  constable.  Notwithstanding  this  proud,  ill- 
natured  declaration,  some  of  these  jurymen  afterwards  filled 
honorable  places,  and  I  myself  was  elected  the  next  year,  and 
sat  on  the  board"*  in  Bedford  county,  and  afterwards  I  served 
in  the  board  three  years  in  Westmoreland  county. 

In  the  year  1774,  another  Indian  war  commenced,  though 
at  this  time  the  white  people  were  the  aggressors.  The  pros- 
pect of  this  terrified  the  frontier  inhabitants,  insomuch  that 
the  great  part  on  the  Ohio  waters  cither  fled  over  the  moun- 
tains eastward  or  collected  into  forts.  As  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania apprehended  great  danger,  they  at  this  time  appoint- 
ed me  captain  over  v^^hat  was  then  called  the  Pennsylvania 
line.  As  they  knew  I  could  raise  men  that  would  answer 
their  purpose,  they  seemed  to  lay  aside  their  former  inveteracy. 

In  the  year  1776,  I  was  appointed  a  major  in  the  Pennsyl- 
vania association.  When  American  independence  was  de- 
clared, 1  was  elected  a  member  of  the  convention  in  West- 
moreland county,  state  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  the  Assembly, 
as  long  as  I  proposed  to  serve. 

*  A  board  of  commissioners  was  annually  elected  in  Pennsylvania  to 
regulate  taxes  and  lay  llio  county  levy. 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


249 


a  suppos- 
or  govern- 

d  him  un- 
trovert,  let 
is  defence, 
I  advanced 

Smith." 

his  time  I 
me  of  the 
into  a  pal- 
e  or  before 

)rosecuted. 
t'ery  unjust 
;nccs  ;  yet, 
*ay  when  I 
stol  at  me 
ircumstan- 
it  it  could 
[■y,  without 
)ne  of  the 
d  ever  hold 
proud,  ill- 
rards  filled 
;  year,  and 
Is   I  served 

;ed,  though 
The  pros- 
»much   that 
the  moun- 
e  of  Penn- 
^e  appoint- 
mnsyjvania 
jld  answer 
inveteracy, 
le  Pennsyl- 
e   was    de- 
n  in  West- 
Assembly, 

insylvania  to 


While  I  attended  the  Assembly  in  Philadelphia,  in  the  year 
1777,  I  saw  in  the  street  some  of  my  old  hoys,  on  their  way  to 
the  Jerseys*,  against  the  Briti.sh,  and  they  desired  me  to  go 
with  them  ;  I  petitioned  the  house  for  leave  of  absence,  in 
order  to  head  a  scouting  party,  which  was  granted  me.  We 
marched  into  the  Jerseys,  and  went  before  General  Washing- 
ton's army,  waylaid  the  road  at  Kocky  Hill,  attacked  about 
two  hundred  of  the  British,  and  with  thirty-six  men  drove  them 
out  of  the  woods,  into  a  large  open  Held.  After  this,  we  at- 
tacked a  party  that  were  guarding  the  officers'  baggage,  and 
took  the  wagon  and  twenty-two  Hessians ;  and  also  retook 
some  of  our  continental  soldiers,  which  they  had  with  them. 
In  a  few  days  we  killed  and  took  more  of  the  British  than  was 
of  our  party.  At  this  time  I  took  the  camp  fever,  and  was 
carried  in  a  stage  wagon  to  Burlington,  where  I  lay  until  I 
recovered.  When  I  took  sick,  my  companion.  Major  James 
M'Common,  took  the  command  of  the  party,  and  had  greater 
success  than  I  had.  If  every  officer,  and  his  party,  that  lifted 
arms  against  the  English,  had  fought  with  the  same  success 
that  Major  M'Common  did,  we  would  have  made  short  work 
of  the  British  war. 

When  T  returned  to  Philadelphia,  I  applied  to  the  Assembly 
for  leave  to  raise  a  battalion  of  riflemen,  which  they  appeared 
very  willing  to  grant,  but  said  thev  could  not  do  it,  as  the 
power  of  raising  men  and  commissioning  officers  were  at  that 
time  committed  to  General  Washington  ;  therefore  they  ad- 
vised me  to  apply  to  his  excellency.  The  following  is  a  true 
copy  of  a  letter  of  recommendation  which  I  received  at  this 
time  from  the  council  of  safety  : 

"IN  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

"  FhiJadtlphin,  Fehruary  lOth,  1777. 
"  Sir — Application  has  been  made  to  us  by  James  Smith,  Esq.,  of  West- 
moreland, a  gentleman  well  acquainted  with  the  Indian  cnstoms  and 
their  manner  of  carrying  on  war,  for  leave  to  raise  a  battalion  of  marks- 
men, expert  in  the  use  of  rifles,  and  such  as  are  acquainted  witli  the 
Indian  method  of  fighting,  to  be  dressed  entirely  in  their  fashion,  for  the 
purpose  of  annoying  and  harassing  the  enemy  in  their  marches  and  en- 
campments. We  think  two  or  three  hundred  men  in  that  way  might  be 
very  useful.  Should  your  excellency  be  of  the  same  opinion,  and  direct 
such  a  corps  to  be  formed,  we  will  lake  proper  measures  for  raising  the 
men  on  the  frontiers  of  this  state,  and  follow  .such  other  directions  as 
your  excellency  shall  give  in  this  matter. 

"  To  his  ExceUcncy,  Ge7ieral  Waslnngton.^^ 

"  The  foregoing  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  to  his  excellency,  General  Wash- 
ington, from  the  council  of  safety. 

"Jacob  S.  Howell,  Secretary V 

After  this  I  received  another  letter  of  recommendation,  which 
is  as  follows  : — 


u  ■ 


i 


lf  - 


2e'50 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


"  Wf,  whose  naiiips  are  iinderwritton,  do  rertify  that  .Tamos  Smith, 
(now  of  ilic  comity  ol  Wrslniorclaiiil,)  was  taken  jaisoiuT  l>y  the  Imliaiis 
in  an  c.xpoi'.ition  l)t.'l'or(^  Cn-niTul  Uraiidnck's  dclcal,  in  tlie  year  \'i.')5,  and 
remaiht'il  with  lliem  until  llic  year  17(iO ;  and  also  that  he  served  as 
cnsii^n,  in  the  year  ITii:^,  under  tlie  \r.\y  of  the  |)rovineo  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  as  lieutenant  in  the  year  17i'il.  and  as  raiilain  in  tlie  year  171  1  ;  and 
as  a  military  ollicer  he  has  siislained  a  ;/(iod  ciiaracler  ;  and  we  do  reeoni- 
mend  iiiin  as  a  person  well  acciuainted  with  the  Indians'  method  of  li^dil- 
ing,  and,  in  our  hunilde  opinion,  exeeedin^ly  fit  for  the  eoiiimand  of  a 
ran^iiii,'  or  scouting'  party,  which  we  are  also  humlilyof  opinion  he  could, 
(if  Icf^ally  authorized.)  soon  raise.  Given  under  our  hands  at  I'hiladel- 
phia,  this  lotli  day  of  March,  1777. 


TnoMAs  Paxton,  Capt. 
William  DiniiKLi),  E.sq. 
David  Ronn,  Esc^. 

JOII.V    PlTKU,   Col. 

William  M'Comb, 
William  Peitkr,  Lt.  Col. 
James  M'Lane,  Esq. 
John  Puocrui!,  Col. 


Jonatiia.v  ITonoK,  Esq. 
William  PAUKr^u,  Capt. 
RonEUT  Elliot, 
Josr.i'ii  AnMSTUoNo,  Col. 
Roiii'.KT  Pki;isli:s,  l^t.  Col. 
Samuel  Patton,  Capt. 
William  Lvo.\,  Esq." 


With  tlipso  and  .'^omo  olhor  letters  of  rerominonclation, 
which  I  liavc  not  now  in  my  pos.'^ession,  I  went  to  hi.s  excel- 
lency, who  lay  at  Morristown.  Though  General  Washington 
did  not  fall  in  with  the  scheme  of  white  men  turning  Indian.'^;, 
yel  he  i)ropos(>d  giving  me  a  major's  place  in  a  battalion  of 
riflemen  already  raised.  I  thanked  the  general  for  his  proposal, 
but  as  I  entertained  no  high  opinion  of  the  colonel  I  was  to 
serve  under,  and  with  whom  I  had  no  prospect  of  getting  my 
old  boys  again,  I  thought  1  would  be  of  more  use  in  the  cause 
we  were  tlien  struggling  to  support  to  remain  with  them  as  a 
militia  officer  ;  therefore  I  did  not  accept  this  offer. 

In  the  year  1778,  I  received  a  colonel's  commission,  and 
after  my  return  to  Westmoreland  the  Indians  made  an  attack 
upon  our  frontiers.  I  then  raised  men  and  pursued  thorn,  and 
the  second  day  we  overtook  and  defeated  them.  We  likcvvise 
took  four  scalps,  and  recovered  the  horses  and  plunder  which 
they  were  carryitig  off  At  the  time  of  this  attack,  Captain 
John  Hinkston  pursued  an  Indian,  both  their  guns  being  empty, 
and  after  the  fray  was  over  he  was  missing.  While  we  were 
inquiring  about  him,  he  came  walking  up,  seemingly  uncon- 
cerned, AVLth  a  bloody  scalp  in  his  hand  ;  he  had  pursued  the 
Indian  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  tomahawked  him. 

Not  long  after  this,  I  was  called  upon  to  command  four 
hundred  riflemen  on  an  expedition  against  the  Indian  town  on 
French  Creek.  It  was  some  time  in  November  before  I 
received  orders  from  General  M'Intosh  to  march,  and  then  we 
were  poorly  equipped  and  scarce  of  provision.  We  marched 
in  'hree  columns,  forty  rod  from  each  other.     There  were  also 


COLONEL  SMITHS  ADVENTUUF.S. 


251 


les  Smith, 
ic  Iiuliixiis 
\',, ').'•),  mill 
sL'ivfd  as 
iisylvania, 
177  I  ;  and 

do   ItHOIIl- 

(l  of  iif,'lit- 
iiaiid  ol'  a 
1  lie  ronld, 
I  rhiladel- 


icndation, 

liis  cxcel- 

ashinglon 

J  Indians, 

ttalion   of 

proposal, 

1  was   to 

}lting  my 

the  cause 

hem  as  a 

ssion,  and 
•\n  attack 
icm,  and 

likewise 

er  which 

,  Captain 

ns;  empty, 

we  were 
ly  uncon- 
rsucd  the 

m. 

land   four 
1  town  on 

before  I 
I  then  we 
;  marched 
were  also 


«   1 


flankers  on  the  outside  of  each  column,  ihnt  marc!icd  abreast 
in  the  rear,  in  scattered  order;  and  even  in  the  cohimns  the 
men  were  one  rod  apart  ;  and  in  tiu?  front  the  vohintec^rs 
marched  abreast  in  the  same  manner  of  the  Hankers,  scoiiriofr 
the  woods.  In  case  of  an  attack,  the  oflicers  were?  immedi- 
ately to  ordfM-  the  men  to  face  out  and  take  trees;  in  this  posi- 
tion, the  Indiiuis  coiiht  not  avail  themselvc^s  by  snrrouiidinir  us, 
or  have  an  o[)p()ri unity  of  shoolinir  a  man  from  either  side 
of  the  tree.  If  aliacked,  the  centre  colinnn  was  to  reinforce 
whatever  part  appeared  to  re([iiire  it  nmst.  Wlu'ii  we  en- 
camped, our  encampment  formed  a  hollow  s(piaro,  including 
about  thirty  or  forty  acres  ;  on  the  outside  of  the  scpiare,  there 
were  sentinels  placed,  whose  business  it  was  to  watch  for  the 
enemy,  ami  sec  that  neither  horses  nor  bullocks  went  out ;  and 
when  encamped,  if  any  attacks  wer(!  made  by  an  enemy,  each 
officer  was  imiuediately  to  order  the  men  to  face  out  and  take 
trees,  as  before  mentioned  ;  and  in  this  form,  they  could  not 
take  the  advantag^e  by  surrounding-  us,  as  they  commonly  had 
done  when  they  foug-ht  the  whites. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  general  orders,  given  at  this  time, 
which  I  have  found  among  my  journals  : 

"  AT  CAMP— OPPOSITE  FORT  PITT. 

"  November  29tk,  1778. 

'•' yENEIlAI-     ORDF.RS. 

"  A  copy  thereof  is  to  be  given  to  eacli  Captain  and  Subaltern,  and  to  be  read 

to  each  Company. 

"  You  are  to  marcli  in  three  rolunuis,  witn  flankers  on  the  front  nnd 
rear,  and  to  keep  a  profound  sik'ncf.  and  not  to  fire  a  i;un,  except  at  the 
enemy,  without  pnriieular  orders  lor  that  purpos(^ ;  and  in  case  of  an  attack, 
let  it  he  so  ordered  that  every  other  man  only  is  to  shoot  at  once,  excepting 
on  extraordinary  occasions  ;  the  one  half  of  the  men  to  keep  a  reserve 
tire  until  their  conuades  load  ;  and  let  everyone  lie  particularly  careful 
not  to  (ire  at  any  time  without  a  view  of  tlie  enemy,  and  that  not  at  too 
great  a  distance.  I  earnestly  urge  the  above  caution,  as  1  have  known 
very  remarkable  and  grievous  errors  of  this  Kind.  Vou  !iir>  to  encamp 
on  the  holl<jw  stjuare.  except  the  volunteers,  who,  accordiiii^  to  their 
own  reijuest,  are  to  encamp  on  the  front  of  the  septate.  A  siitfi- 
cient  number  of  sentinels  arc  to  be  ke])l  routid  the  stjuare  at  a  jjroper 
distance.  Every  man  is  to  be  under  arms  at  the  break  of  day,  and 
to  parade  opposite  to  their  ftre-plaei^s.  i'acini:;  out,  atid  when  the  ofhcers 
examine  their  arms,  an<l  (iiid  tliem  in  j^ood  order,  and  ^'ive  necessary 
directions,  they  are  to  be  dismissed,  with  orders  to  have  iheir  arms  near 
them,  and  be  always  in  readiness. 

"  Given  by 

"  James  Smitu,  Colonel.'''' 

In  this  manner,  we  proceeded  on  to  French  Creek,  where 


.i 


252 


COLONEL  S.MITirS   ADVENTURES. 


f: 


we  found  the  Indian  town  evacnaled.  I  then  went  on  further 
than  my  orders  cii'lcd  lor,  in  (\\\v>l  of  Indians  ;  Iml  our  pro- 
vision being  near''  exhausted,  wc  were  ohliL-'cd  to  return. 
On  our  way  hack  ,e  met  with  considerable  didicukioH,  on 
account  of  iiiyii  wuiers  and  scarcity  of  j)rovision  ;  yet  we 
never  lost  one  horse,  excepting  some  that  gave  «)ut. 

After  p(>ace  was  made  with  the  Indians,  I  met  with  some  of 
them  in  r'ttsl)urg,  and  iiujuired  of  thcin  in  their  own  tongue 
concerning  tliis  expedition,  not  Irtiing  them  know  1  was  there. 
They  told  me  that  they  watched  the  movements  of  this  army 
ever  after  they  had  left  fort  Pitt,  and  as  they  pass(Ml  through 
the  glades  or  barrens  they  had  a  full  view  of  them  frf)m  the 
adjacent  hills,  and  computed  their  number  to  be  about  one 
thousand.  They  said  they  also  examined  their  camps,  both 
before  and  after  they  were  gone,  and  found  they  could  not 
make  an  advantageous  attack,  and  therefore  moved  ofl'  from 
their  town  and  hunting  grouiul  before  we  arrived. 

In  the  year  17S8,  I  settled  in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky, 
seven  miles  above  Paris,  and  in  the  same  year  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  convention  that  sat  at  Danville  to  confer  about 
a  separation  from  the  state  of  Virginia  ;  and  from  that  year 
until  the  year  1799,  I  represented  Bourbon  county  either  in 
convention  or  as  a  mendjer  of  the  General  Assembly,  except 
two  years  that  I  was  left  a  few  votes  behind. 


\ 


t 


COLONKL  SMITH'S   ADVK.nTURES. 


2o3 


on  further 
II   our  pro- 

lo  return. 
iculticH,  on 
1  ;    yet  we 

ilh  some  of 
.wii  ton<,nie 
was  there, 
f  this  army 
:ed  through 
m  from  the 
p  about  one 
ramps,  both 
y  could  not 
ved  off  from 

f,  Kentucky, 
as  elected  a 
confer  about 
[n  that  year 
ity  cither  in 
mbly,  except 


ON  THE  MAXNEKS  AND  CUSTOMS  OF  THE  INUIANS, 


1 


"^^"M 


\ 


The  Indians  iire  a  slovenly   peopl"    in   liuir   dre> 


Th( 


seldom  ever  wash  rlicir  >hirt<,  and  in  ic'^ard  to  molvcry  th(>y 
are  eM'ccdJntrly  lillliy.  When  ilicy  Ivili  a  hulliilo  \\u'\  will 
sonu'tinies  lash  the  paunch  ol  it  roinnl  a  sapjini,',  and  ca:  f  it 
itito  the  ki'tlle,  boil  it,  and  .-up  ilic  liruiji  ;  though  they  r-oni- 
nionly  shake  it  al)mil  in  cold  water,  ihcn  boil  and  eat  it.  Nol- 
wiihstandini,''  all  this,  ihey  are  very  polite  in  iheir  own  way, 
and  they  retain  amoni,^  them  the  essentials  of  j^ood  manners; 
thouirh  they  have  few  coinplimi'nts,  yet  they  are  coinj)laisant 
to  one  another,  and  when  accompanietl  with  ireod  humor  and 
discretion,  they  entertain  hitrauLTers  in  the  best  manner  their 
circumstances  will  admit.  They  use  but  few  titles  of  honor. 
In  till'  military  line  the  titles  of  irreal  men  are  oidy  captains 
or  leaders  of  parties.  In  the  civil  line,  ihe  titles  are  oidy 
counsellors,  chiefs,  or  the  old  wise  men.  These  titles  arc 
never  made  use  of  in  addressini^  any  of  their  great  men. 
The  laniruaije  commonly  made  use  of  in  addressin'j;'  them  is 
frrandlather,  father,  or  uncle.  They  have  no  such  thing  in 
use  amon<,''  ihein  as  Sir,  Mr.,  ^ladain,  or  Mistress.  The  com- 
mon mode  of  address  is,  my  friend,  brother,  cousin,  or 
mother,  sister,  &c.  They  pay  Ljreat  respect  to  age,  or  to  the 
aged  fathers  and  mothers  among  them  of  every  rank.  No 
one  can  arrive  at  any  place  of  honor  amoiig  them  but  by  merit. 
Either  some  exploit  in  war  must  be  pi'rfonned  before  any  one 
can  bo  advanced  in  the  military  line,  or  become  eminent  for 
wisdom  before  they  can  obtain  a  seal  in  council.  It  would 
apjiear  to  the  Indians  a  most  ridiculous  thing  to  see  a  man 
lead  on  a  company  of  warriors,  as  an  olTicer,  who  had  himself 
never  been  in  a  bcitle  in  his  life.  Even  in  case  of  merit  they 
are  slow  in  advancing  any  one,  until  they  arrive  at  or  near 
middle  ago. 

They  invite  every  one  that  comes  to  their  house  or  camp  to 
eat,  while  they  have  any  thing  to  give  ;  and  it  is  accounted 
bad  manners  to  refuse  eating  when  invited.  They  are  very 
tenacious  of  their  old  mode  of  dressing  and  painting,  and  do 
not  change  their  fashions  as  we  do.  They  are  very  fond  of 
tobacco,  and  the  men  almost  all  smoke  it  mixed  with  sumach 
leaves  or  red  willow  bark,  pulverized,  though  they  seldom  use 
it  in  any  other  way.  They  make  use  of  the  pipe  also  as  a 
token  of  love  and  friendship. 

In  courtship  they  also  differ  from  us.  It  is  a  common  thing 
among  them  for  a  young  woman,  if  in  love,  to  make  suit  to  a 
young  man ;  though  the  first  address  may  be  by  the  man,  yet 

22 


2ryi 


COLON r:L  .SMITH'S  adventures. 


the  other  is  ilic  most  rotmiion.  TIk^  ?(|iir\^vs  nrc  irciicrally 
very  iinmudcst  in  ilu'ir  words  mid  actions,  and  will  (dten  put  \\\v 
yoiiiiLf  iiuTi  to  tli<'  hhish.     TIh-   incn    coininonly  appear   to  lie 

fjosse^sed  of  much  more  modesty  than  the  women  ;  yet  i  liavi; 
)eeii  acqnaitjted  with  some  yoimij^  stpiaws  that  appeared  really 
jnodest :  ua-niiine  it  must  Ite,  as  tliey  were  under  very  little 
restraint  in  the  channel  of  education  or  ciislotn. 

When  the  Indians  meet  one  anollier,  instead  of  sayinpf  how 
do  you  do,  they  cf)nimonly  salute  in  tlie  followinn-  manner: 
you  arc  my  friend — the  reply  is,  truly  friend,  lam  your  Iriend; 
or,  cousin,  you  yet  exist — the  reply  is,  certainly  1  do.  They 
hav(Mheir  chihlren  under  tolerahle  command;  seldom  ever 
wliip  them,  and  their  common  mode  of  cliaslisinjj^  is  hy  duck- 
in^^  them  in  cold  water;  therefore  their  children  are  more 
ol)edient  in  the  winter  season  than  they  are  in  the  summer, 
though  they  are  then  not  so  often  ducked.  They  are  a  peaceahic 
people,  and  scarcely  ever  wrant^le  or  scold,  when  soher  ;  hut 
they  are  very  much  addicted  to  drinkinij;',  and  men  and  women 
will  hccome  hasely  intoxicated,  if  tliey  can  hy  any  means  procure 
or  ohtain  spirituous  liquor,  and  then  they  are  commonly  cither 
extremely  merry  and  kind,  or  very  turbulent,  ill-humored  and 
disorderly. 


ON    THEIR    TRADITIONS    AND    RELIGIOUS    SENTIMENTS. 


As  the  family  that  I  was  adopted  into  was  intermarried  with 
the  Wyandots  and  Ottawas,  three  toncfues  were  commonly 
spoken,  viz.  :  Caughnewaqa,  or  what  the  French  call  Iroque, 
also  the  Wyandot  and  Ottawa.  By  this  means  I  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  learninij  these  three  tongues  ;  and  I  found  that  these 
nations  varied  in  their  traditions  and  opinions  concerning  reli- 
gion ;  and  even  numbers  of  the  same  nation  dillered  widely  in 
their  religious  sentiments.  Their  traditions  are  vague,  whim- 
sical, romantic,  and  many  of  them  scarce  Avorth  relating,  and 
not  any  of  them  reach  back  to  the  creation  of  the  world.  The 
W^yandots  come  the  nearest  to  this.  They  tell  of  a  squaw 
that  was  found  when  an  infant  in  the  water,  in  a  canoe,  made 
of  bulrushes.  This  squaw  became  a  great  prophetess,  and  did 
many  wonderful  things  :  she  turned  water  into  dry  land,  and  at 
length  made  this  continent,  w^hich  was  at  that  time  only  a  very 
small  island,  and  but  a  few  Indians  in  it.  Though  they  were 
then  but  few,  they  had  not  sufficient  room  to  hunt ;  therefore 
this  squaw  went  to  the  water-side,  and  prayed  that  this  little 
island  might  be  enlarged.  The  Great  Being  then  heard  her 
prayer,  and  sent  great  numbers  of  water  tortoises  and  musk- 
rats,  which  brought  with  them  mud  and  other  materials  for 


INDIAN   CUSTOMS. 


255 


re  ^-fMicrally 
iftrii  jiiil  llie 
ppcar  lo  III' 
;  yet  I  Imvu 
en  red  really 
r  very  liitle 

sayiiip:  linw 
!"■  inanuer  : 
your  iViciul; 

do.  They 
seldom  ever 
is  by  diiok- 
n  are  inore 
he  isiirnmcr, 
!  a  peaceable 

sober  ;  but 

and  women 

fans  procure 

nonly  either 

umored  and 


lENTS. 

narried  with 
!  commonly 
call  Iroque, 
ad  an  oppor- 
1(1  that  these 
:crning  reli- 
ed widely  in 
iguc,  whim- 
elating,  and 
vorld.  The 
of  a  squaw 
:anoe,  made 
ess,  and  did 
land,  and  at 
only  a  very 
h  they  were 
t ;  therefore 
t  this  little 
1  heard  her 
and  musk- 
laterials  for 


onlnririncf    this   island,   and   by   this   means,  ihcy  say,   it   was 


d  to  tl 


\ 


\ 


iiicreaseii  to  ilic  si/e  that  it  now  retnanis  ;  Uir'retorc,  they  say, 
that  the  white  people  ought  not  to  encroach  upon  them,  or  take 
their  land  from  thcin,  because  their  great  grandmother  made 
it.  They  say  that  about  this  time  the  angels  or  heavenly 
inhabiiants,  as  they  call  them,  lVe(|uently  visited  them  and 
talked  with  their  forefathers,  and  gave  directions  how  to  pray, 
and  how  to  appease  the  Great  Heing  when  he  was  odendeu. 
They  told  them  they  were  to  otl«  r  sacrilice,  liurn  tobacco,  buf- 
falo and  dmr  bones  ;  but  they  were  not  to  burn  bear's  or 
raccoon's  bones  in  sacritice. 

The  Ullawas  say  that  there  are  two  (Jreat  Heings  that 
govern  and  rule  the  univiu'se,  who  are  at  war  with  each  (fther; 
the  one  they  call  Mdmlo,  and  the  other  Mntr/u/na/Hfn.  Tln^y 
say  that  Alaneto  is  all  kindness  and  love,  and  that  Matcho- 
maneto  is  an  evil  spirit,  that  delights  in  doing  mischief;  and 
some  of  them  think  that  they  ar«;  erpial  in  power,  and  there- 
fore worship  the  evil  spirit  out  of  a  i)rincipl(;  of  fear.  Other.s 
<loubt  which  of  the  two  may  be  the  most  powerful,  and  there- 
fore endeavor  to  keep  in  favor  with  both,  by  giving  each  of 
them  some  kind  of  worship.  Others  say  that  Maneto  is  the 
first  great  cause,  and  therefore  must  be  all  powerful  and  su- 
preme, and  ought  to  be  adored  and  worshipped,  whereas 
Matchemaneto  ouy-ht  to  be  rejected  and  despised. 

Those  of  the  Ottawas  that  worship  the  evil  spirit  pretend 
to  be  great  conjurors.  I  think  if  there  is  any  such  thing  now 
in  the  world  as  witchcraft  it  is  among  these  people.  I  have 
been  told  wonderful  stories  concerning  their  proceedings,  but 
never  was  eye-witness  to  any  thing  that  appeared  evidently 
s\ipernatural. 

Some  of  the  Wyandots  and  Caughnewagas  profess  to  be 
Roman  Catholics  ;  but  even  these  retain  many  of  the  notions 
of  their  ancestors.  Those  of  them  who  reject  the  Roman 
Catholic  religion  hold  that  there  is  one  great  first  cause,  whom 
they  call  Oaianceyn,  that  riiles  and  governs  the  universe,  and 
takes  care  of  all  his  creatures,  ratie.nal  and  irrational,  and  gives 
them  their  food  in  due  season,  and  hears  the  prayers  of  all 
those  that  call  upon  him  ;  therefore  it  is  but  just  and  reasona- 
ble to  pray,  and  offer  sacrifice  to  this  Groat  Being,  and  to  do 
those  things  that  are  pleasing  in  his  sight;  but  they  difler 
widely  in  what  is  pleasing  or  displeasing  to  this  Great  Being. 
Some  hold  that  following  nature  or  their  own  propensities  is 
the  way  to  happiness,  and  cannot  be  displeasing  to  the  Deity, 
because  ho  delights  in  the  happiness  of  his  creatures,  and  does 
noihing  in  vain,  but  gave  these  dispositions  with  a  design  to 
lead  to  happiness,  and  therefore  they  ought  to  be  followed. 


I! 


256 


COLONEL   SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


Others  reject  this  opinion  alloG;cthor,  an  1  say  liiat  following 
their  own  propensities  in  this  irianner  is  neither  the  means  of 
happmess  nor  the  way  to  ])lease  the  Deity. 

'J'ecaufrhretanci^o  was  of  opinion  that  foliowinj^  nature  in  a 
limited  sense  was  reasonable  and  riti;"ht.  He  said  t'lat  most 
of  the  irrational  animals,  hy  followini^  their  natural  propen- 
sities, were  led  to  the  greatest  pitch  of  hap|)iness  thiit  their 
natures  and  the  world  they  lived  in  would  admit  of.  He  said 
that  mankind  and  the  rattlesnakes  had  evil  ilispositioi.s,  that 
led  them  to  injure  themselves  and  others.  He  gave  i'lstances 
of  this.  He  saiil  he  had  a  p'i])py  that  he  did  not  int^'id  to 
raise,  and  in  order  to  try  an  experiment  he  lied  this  puppy  on 
a  pole,  and  held  it  to  a  rattlesnake,  which  hit  it  several  limes; 
that  he  observed  the  snake  shortly  after  rolling  about  appar- 
ently in  great  misery,  so  that  it  ap)ieared  to  have  poisoned 
itself  as  well  as  the  pnppy.  The  otlier  instance  he  gave  was 
concerning  himself.  He  said  thai  when  he  was  a  young  man 
he  was  very  foml  of  the  women,  and  at  length  got  the  venereal 
disease,  so  that,  by  following  this  propensity,  he  was  led  to 
injure  himself  and  others.  He  stdd  our  liappiness  depends  on 
our  using  our  reason,  in  order  t  >  suppress  these  evil  disposi- 
tions ;  but  when  our  propensi:icS  neither  lead  us  to  injure 
ourscives  nor  others  we  might  with  safety  indulge  them,  or 
even  pursue  them  as    he  means  of  happiness. 

The  Indians,  generally,  are  of  opinion  that  there  are  great 
numbers  (,f  inferior  deities,  which  they  call  Carrcyagaroona, 
which  signifies  the  heavenly  inhabitants.  These  beings  they 
suppose  are  employed  as  assistants  in  managing  the  afl'airs  of 
the  universe,  and  in  inspecting  the  actions  of  men  ;  and  that 
even  the  irrational  animals  are  engaged  in  viewing  their 
actions,  and  bearing  intelligence  to  the  gods.  The  eagle,  for 
this  purpose,  with  her  keen  eye,  is  soaring  about  in  the  day, 
and  the  owl,  with  her  nightly  eye,  perched  on  the  trees  around 
their  camp  in  the  night  ;  therefore,  when  they  observe  the 
eagle  or  the  owl  near  they  immediately  oiler  sacrifice,  or  burn 
tobacco,  that  they  may  have  a-  good  »-  port  to  carry  to  the  gods. 
They  say  that  there  are  also  great  mimbers  of  evil  spirits, 
which  they  call  Onasahroona,  which  signifies  the  inhabitants 
of  the  lower  region.  These,  they  say,  are  employed  in  dis- 
turbing the  world,  and  the  good  spirits  are  always  going  after 
them,  and  setting  things  ritrht,  so  that  'hey  are  constantly 
working  in  opposition  to  each  other.  Some  talk  of  a  future 
state,  but  not  with  any  certainty ;  at  best  their  notions  are 
vague  and  unsettled.  Others  deny  a  future  state  altogether, 
and  say  that,  after  death,  they  neither  think  nor  live. 

As  the  Caughnewagas  and  the   Six  Nations  speak  nearly 


INDIAN   CUSTOMS. 


257 


lat  following 
ho  nieany  of 

;  nature  in  a 
lid  I'lat  most 
iiral  projKMi- 
ss  thi'.l  their 
of.  lie  said 
ositioi.s,  that 
ivo  i'lstanccs 
not  intend  to 
his  puppy  on 
:^vf'ral  limes  ; 

about  appar- 
ave  poisoned 

he  i^ave  was 
a  youni]C  man 
,  the  venereal 
e  was  led  to 
IS  depends  on 

evil  disposi- 

us  to  iiijure 
ilij^e  them,  or 

ere  are  great 

rryngarooiia, 

'  beings  they 

the  aiiiiirs  of 

en  ;  and  that 

iewing   their 

^'he  eagle,  for 

It  in  the  day, 

trees  around 

observe   the 

itice,  or  burn 

y  to  the  gods. 

evil  spirits, 

e   inhabitants 

loyed   in  dis- 

going  after 
re   constantly 

of  a  future 
notions  are 

altogether, 
ive. 
speak  nearly 


( 


\ 


the  same  language,  their  theology  is  also  nearly  alikf.  When 
I  met  with  the  Shawanees,  or  Delawares,  as  I  couUl  not  speak 
their  tongue,  I  spoke  Ottawa  to  them,  and  as  it  bore  some 
resembhmce  to  their  language,  we  understood  each  other  in 
some  common  aflairs  ;  bui,  as  I  could  only  converse  with  them 
very  imperfectly,  I  cannot  from  my  own  knowledge,  with  cer- 
tainty, give  any  account  of  their  theological  opinions. 

ON  THEIR  POLICE,  OR  CIVIL  noVERirMENT. 

I  have   often  heard  of  Indian   kings,  but  never   .aw  any. 
How  any  term   used  by  the  Indians   in   their  own  tongue,  for 
the  chief  man  of  a  nation,  could  be  rendered  king,  1  know  not. 
The  chief  of  a  nation  is  neither  a  supreme  ruler,  monarch,  or 
potentate ;    he   can   neither    make   war   or   peace,   leagues   or 
treaties  ;    he  cannot  impress  soldiers,  or  dispose  of  magazines ; 
he  cannot  adjourn,  prorogue,  or  dissolve  a  general  assembly, 
nor  can  he  refuse  his  assent  to  their  conclusions,  or  in  any 
manner  control  them.     With  them  there  is  no  such  thing  as 
hereditary  succession,   title   of  nobility,  or  royal   blood,  even 
talked  ot.     The  chief  of  a  nation,  even  with  the  consent  of  his 
assembly,  or  council,  cann-jt  raise  one  shilling  of  tax  off  the 
citizens,  but  only  receive  wha     they  please  to  give  as  free  and 
voluntary  donations.     The  chief  of  a  nation  has  to  hunt  for 
his  living  as  any  other  citizen.     How  then  can  they,  with  any 
propriety,  be  called  kings  ?     I  apprehend  that  the  white  people 
were  formerly  so  fond  of  the  name  of  kings,  and  so  ignorant  of 
their  power,  that   they  concluded  the  chief  man  of  a  nation 
must  be  a  king. 

As  they  are  illiterate,  they  consequently  have  no  written 
code  of  laws.  What  they  execute  as  laws  are  either  old  cus- 
toms, or  the  immediate  result  of  new  councils.  Some  of  their 
ancient  laws  or  customs  are  very  pernicious,  and  disturb  the 
public  weal.  Their  vague  law  of  marriage  is  a  glaring  in- 
stance of  this,  as  the  man  and  his  wife  are  under  no  legal 
obligation  to  live  together  if  they  are  both  willing  to  part. 
They  have  little  form  or  ceremony  among  them  in  matrimony, 
but  do  like  the  Israelites  of  old  ;  the  man  goes  in  unto  the 
woman,  and  she  becomes  his  wife.  The  years  of  puberty,  and 
the  age  of  consent,  is  about  fourteei\  for  the  women,  and 
eighteen  for  the  men.  Before  I  was  taken  by  the  Indians,  I 
had  often  heard  that  in  the  ceremony  of  marriage  the  man 
gave  the  woman  a  deer's  leg,  and  she  gave  him  a  red  ear  of 
corn,  signifying  that  she  was  to  keep  him  in  bread,  and  he  was 
to  keep  her  in  meat.  I  in(piired  of  them  concerning  the  truth 
of  this,  and  they  said  they  knew  nothing  of  it,  further  than 

22* 


i] 


if  • 


258 


COLONEL   SMITH'S  ADVENTURES. 


that  they  bad  heard  it  was  the  ancient  custom  amonfr  soine 
nation^;.  Their  fre([uent  changing  of  partners  prevoits  propa- 
gation, creates  disturbances,  and  often  occasions  murder  and 
bloodshed,  though  tliis  is  commonly  connnittcd  under  the  pre- 
tence of  being  drunk.  Their  impunity  to  crimes  committed 
when  intoxicated  with  spirituous  liquors,  or  their  admitting 
one  crime  as  an  excuse  for  anothei,  is  u  very  unjust  law  or 
custom. 

The  extremes  they  run  into  in  dividing  the  necessaries  of 
life  are  hurtful  to  the  public  weal ;  though  their  dividing  meat 
when  hunting  may  answer  a  valuable  purpose,  as  one  family- 
may  have  success  one  day,  and  the  other  the  next ;  but  their 
carrying  this  custom  to  the  town,  or  to  agriculture,  is  striking 
at  the  root  of  industry,  as  industrious  persons  ought  to  be 
rewarded,  and  the  lazy  suffer  for  their  indolence. 

They  have  scarcely  any  penal  laws  ;  the  principal  punish- 
ment is  degrading;  even  murder  is  not  punished  by  any  for- 
mal law,  only  the  friends  of  the  murdered  are  at  liberty  to  slay 
the  murderer  if  some  atonement  is  not  made.  Their  not  an- 
nexing penalties  to  their  laws  is  perhaps  not  as  great  a  crime, 
or  as  unjust  and  cruel,  as  the  bloody  laws  of  England,  which 
we  have  so  long  shamefully  practised,  and  which  are  to  be  in 
force  in  this  state  until  our  penitentiary*  house  is  finished, 
which  is  now  building,  and  then  they  are  to  be  repealed. 

Let  us  also  take  a  view  of  the  advantages  attending  Indian 
police :  They  are  not  oppressed  or  perplexed  with  expensive 
litigation;  they  are  not  injured  by  legal  robbery;  they  have 
no  splendid  villains  that  make  themselves  grand  and  great 
upon  other  people's  labor;  they  have  neither  church  nor  state 
erected  as  money-making  machines. 


\ 


1 


:i    i 


ON  THEIR  DISCIPLINE  AND  METHOD  OF  WAR. 

I  have  often  heard  the  British  officers  call  the  Indians  the 
undisciplined  savages,  which  is  a  capital  mistake,  as  they  have 
all  the  essentials  of  discipline.  They  are  under  good  com- 
mand, and  punctual  in  obeying  orders  ;  they  can  act  in  con- 
cert, and  when  their  officers  lay  a  plan  and  give  ord<.is,  they 
will  cheerfully  unite  in  putting  all  their  directions  into  imme- 
diate execution ;  and  by  each  man  observing  the  motion  or 
movement  of  his  right-hand  companion,  they  can  communicate 
the  motion  from  right  to  left,  and  march  abreast  in  concert,  and 
in  scattered  order,  though  the  line  may  be  more  than  a  mile 
long,  and  continue,  if  occasion  requires,  for  a  considerable 
distance,  without  disorder  or  confusion.  They  can  perform 
various  necessary  manoeuvres,  either  slowly,  or  as  fast  as  they 


INDIAN   CUST03IS. 


259 


inonj^  soffie 
'(Mils  propa- 
rimrdtT  and 
lKt  the  pre- 
conimittcd 
r  admitting 
just  law  or 

cessaries  of 
vidincf  meat 
;  one  family 
t ;  but  their 
,  is  striking 
ought  to  be 

ipal  punish- 
by  any  for- 
serty  to  slay 
heir  not  an- 
eat  a  crime, 
land,  which 
are  to  be  in 
is  finished, 
)ealed. 
ding  Indian 
h  expensive 
they  have 
i  and  great 
ch  nor  state 


Indians  the 
IS  they  have 

good  com- 

act  in  con- 
orueis,  they 

into  imme- 
e  motion  or 
ommunicate 
concert,  and 

than  a  mile 
considerable 
:an  perform 

fast  as  they 


1 


can  run  ;  they  can  form  a  circle  or  ^cmioirclo.  The  circle 
they  make  use  of  in  onlcr  to  surround  their  enemy,  and  the 
semicircle  if  the  encniy  has  a  river  on  out  side  of  them. 
They  can  also  form  a  hirge  hollow  sfpuire,  fiice  out  and  take 
trees;  this  they  do  if  their  enemies  are  aloi-.t  sMrroi.i^'Ung 
them,  to  prevent,  being  shot  from  either  side  of  the  tree.  VVlit.u 
they  go  into  batth;  they  are  not  loaded  ftr  encumbered  with 
many  clothes,  as  they  commonly  lif/ht  naked,  sav->  only  breech- 
clout,  leggins,  and  moccasins.  There  is  no  such  thing  as  cor- 
poreal punishment  used  in  order  to  bring  ihem  uii'ier  such 
good  discipline;  degrading  is  the  only  cba^lisLinent,  anil  they 
are  so  unanimous  in  this  that  it  eliectually  answers  the  j)ur- 
pose.  Their  otiicers  plan,  order,  and  conduct  matters  until 
they  are  brought  into  action,  and  then  each  man  is  to  fight  as 
though  he  was  to  gain  the  battle  bin  self.  Geneial  orders  are 
commonly  given  in  time  of  battle  either  to  advance  or  retreat, 
and  is  done  by  a  ^hout  or  yell,  which  is  well  understood,  and 
then  they  retreat  or  advance  in  concert.  Tliev  are  generally 
well  equipped,  and  exceedingly  expert  and  active  in  the  iist;  of 
arms.  Could  it  be  supposed  that  undisciplined  troops  could 
defeat  Generals  Braddock,  Grant,  Ace.  ?  It  may  be  said  by 
some  that  the  French  were  also  engaged  in  this  war.  True, 
they  were;  yet  I  know  it  was  thu  Indians  that  laid  the  plan, 
and  with  small  assistance  put  it  into  execution.  The  Indians 
had  no  aid  from  the  French,  or  any  other  power,  when  they 
besieged  fort  Pitt  in  the  year  1763,  and  cut  oil'  the  communi- 
cation for  a  considerable  time  between  that  post  and  fort 
Loudon,  and  would  have  defeated  General  Boutpiet's  army 
(who  were  on  the  way  to  raise  the  siege)  had  it  not  been  for 
the  assistance  of  the  V'^irginia  volunteers.  They  had  no  Brit- 
ish troops  with  them  vviien  they  defeated  Colonel  Crawford, 
near  the  Sandusky,  in  the  time  of  the  American  war  with 
Great  Britain  ;  or  when  they  defeated  Colonel  LouL''hrie,  on  the 
Ohio,  near  the  Aliaini,  on  his  way  to  meet  General  Clarke  : 
this  was  also  in  the  time  of  the  British  war.  It  was  the  In- 
dians alone  that  defeated  Colonel  Todd,  in  Kentucky,  near  the 
Blue  Licks,  in  the  year  17S2  ;  and  Colonel  Harmer,  betwixt 
the  Ohio  and  lake  Erie,  in  the  year  1790,  and  General  St. 
Clair,  in  the  year  1791  ;  and  it  is  said  that  there  were  more  of 
our  men  killed  at  this  defeat  than  there  were  in  any  one  battle 
during  our  contest  with  Great  Britain.  They  had  no  aid 
when  they  fought  even  the  Virginia  ridemen,  almost  a  whole 
day,  at  the  Great  Kenhawa,  in  the  year  1774  ;  and  when  they 
found  they  could  not  prevail  asjainsl  the  Virginians  they  mnde 
a  most  artful  reireat.  Notwithstanding  they  had  the  Ohio  to 
cross,  some  continued  firing  whilst  others  were  crossing  the 


.;*■ 


li  r 


260 


OLONEL   SMITH'S  ADVENTURES. 


river;  in  this  manner  they  prorcMclod,  luitil  they  all  got  over, 
before  the  Virginians  knew  that  tiiey  had  retreated,  and  in  this 
retreat  they  carried  off  all  their  \V(juiuled.  In  the  most  of  the 
feregoing  defeats  they  fought  with  an  inferior  numher,  though 
in  this,  I  believe,  it  was  not  the  case. 

Nothing  can  be  more  unjustly  represented  than  the  different 
accounts  we  have  had  of  their  number,  from  time  to  time,  both 
by  their  own  computations,  and  that  of  the  British.  While  I 
was  among  them  I  saw  the  account  of  the  number  that  they, 
in  those  parts,  gave  to  the  French,  and  kept  it  by  me.  When 
they,  in  their  own  council-house,  were  taking  an  account  of 
their  number,  with  a  piece  of  bark,  newly  stripped,  and  a  small 
stick,  which  answered  the  end  of  a  slate  and  pencil,  I  took  an 
account  of  the  different  nations  and  tribes,  which  I  added  to- 
gether, and  found  there  were  not  half  the  number  which  they 
had  given  the  French  ;  and  though  they  were  then  their  allies, 
and  lived  among  them,  it  was  not  easy  finding  out  the  decep- 
tion, as  they  were  a  wandering  set,  and  some  of  them  almost 
always  in  the  woods  hunting.  I  asked  one  of  the  chiefs  what 
was  their  reason  for  making  such  dilferent  returns.  He  said 
it  was  for  political  reasons,  in  order  to  obtain  greater  presents 
from  the  French,  by  telling  them  they  could  not  divide  such 
and  such  quantities  of  goods  among  so  many. 

In  the  year  of  General  Bouquet's  last  campaign,  1764,  I 
saw  the  official  return  made  by  the  British  officers  of  the  num- 
ber of  Indians  that  were  in  arms  against  us  that  year,  which 
amounted  to  thirty  thousand.  As  I  was  then  a  lieutenant  in 
the  British  service,  I  -old  them  I  was  of  opinion  that  there 
was  not  above  one  thousand  in  arms  against  us,  as  they  were 
divided  by  Broadstreet's  army,  being  then  at  lake  Erie.  The 
British  officers  hooted  at  me,  and  said  they  could  not  make 
England  sensible  of  the  difficulties  they  labored  under  in 
fighting  them,  as  England  expected  that  their  troops  could 
fight  the  undisciplined  savages  in  America  five  to  one,  as  they 
did  the  East  Indians,  and  therefore  my  report  would  not  an- 
swer their  purpose,  as  they  could  not  give  an  honorable  account 
of  the  war  but  by  augmenting  their  number.  I  am  of  opinion 
that  from  Braddock's  war  until  the  present  time  ihere  never 
were  more  than  three  thousand  Indians,  at  any  time,  in  arms 
against  us  west  of  fort  Pitt,  and  frequently  not  half  that  num- 
ber. According  to  the  Indians'  own  accounts,  during  the 
whole  of  Braddock's  war,  or  from  1755  till  1758,  they  killed 
or  took  fifty  of  our  people  for  one  that  they  lost.  In  the  war 
that  commenced  in  the  year  1763  they  killed  comparatively 
few  of  our  people,  and  lost  more  of  theirs,  as  the  frontiers 
(especially  the  Virginians)   had   learned  some  thing  of  their 


INDIAN   CUSTOMS. 


261 


all  got  over, 
1,  and  in  this 
^  most  of  the 
nhcr,  though 

the  (lifTcrent 
to  time,  both 
h.  While  I 
or  that  they, 

me.  When 
1  account  of 
,  and  a  small 
"il,  I  look  an 
h  I  added  to- 
r  which  they 
n  their  allies, 
U  the  dccep- 
thern  almost 
3  chiefs  what 
ns.  He  said 
ater  presents 

divide  such 

lign,   1764,  I 

of  the  num- 

year,  which 

lieutenant  in 

n  that  there 

as  they  were 

Erie.     The 

Id  not  make 

d    under  in 

troops  could 

one,  as  they 

ould  not  an- 

able  account 

m  of  opinion 

there  never 

ime,  in  arms 

f  that  num- 

during  the 

i,  they  killed 

In  the  war 

imparatively 

the  frontiers 

ing  of  their 


f 


method  of  war  ;  yet  they,  in  this  war,  a<'i'(irdiiig  to  their  own 
accounts,  (which  1  believe  to  be  true,)  kilb'd  or  took  trn  of  our 
people  for  one  they  lost. 

Let  us  now  take  a  view  of  the  blood  and  treasure  that  was 
spent  ill  opposing  comparatively  a  few  liidiau  warriors,  with 
only  some  assistance  from  the  French,  the  lirst  four  years  of 
the  war.  Additional  to  the  amazinir  destruction  and  slaughter 
that  the  frontiers  sustai'Uid  from  James  river  to  Sus(Hieliaium, 
and  about  thirty  uiiles  broad,  the  following"  campaigns  were 
also  carried  on  ngainst  the  Indians  :  (Ictieral  Braddock's,  in 
the  year  I7oo ;  Colonel  Armstrong's,  ai^ainst  the  (';uianyan 
town  on  the  Alleghany,  1767  ;  Gon.  Forbes's,  in  176'^;  (Um. 
Stanwick's,  in  17-59;  General  Moidcton's,  in  17(50-,  Colomd 
Bouquet's,  in  17(U  ami  17H.'].  when  he  fought  the  buttle  of 
Brushy  Run,  and  lost  above  one  iiuntlred  men,  but,  by  the 
assistance  of  the  Virginia  volunteers,  drove  the  Indians;  Col. 
Armstrong's,  up  the  west  brunch  of  Sus(|neh;inna,  in  17(53; 
General  Broadstreet's,  uj)  lak'e  Ev'w,  in  17(j  1 ;  Gen.  Bouquet's 
against  the  Indians  at  Muskinirum,  17(54;  Lord  Dunmore's,  in 
1774;  Gen.  M'Intosh's,  in  177S  ;  Colonel  Crawford's,  shortly 
after  his;  Gen.  Clarke's,  in  177*=!,  17S0  ;  Colonel  Bowman's, 
in  1779;  General  Clarke's,  in  17S2,  against  the  Wabash  in 
1786;   Gen.  Logan's,  against  the   Shawanees,  in   1786;   Gen. 

Wilkinson's,  in ;   Colonel  Harmer's,  in    1790  ;  and  Gen. 

St.  Clair's,  in  1791  ;  which,  in  all,  are  twenty-two  mmpaigns, 
besides  smaller  expeditions;  such  as  the  French  Crec^k  e.xpe- 
dition,  Colonel  Edwards's,  Loughrio's,  &c.  All  these  were 
exclusive  of  the  number  of  men  that  were  internally  employed 
as  scouting  parties,  and  in  erecting  forts,  guarding  stations,  &c 
When  we  take  the  foregoi;.g  occurren^'es  into  consideration, 
may  we  not  reasonably  conclude,  that  they  are  the  best  disci- 
plined troops  in  the  known  world  ?  Is  it  not  the  best  discipline 
that  has  the  greatest  tendency  to  annoy  tin;  eiu'iny  and  save 
their  own  men  ?  I  apprehend  that  the  Ir-  lian  discipline  is  as 
well  calculated  to  answ<>r  the  purpose  in  the  woods  of  America, 
as  the  British  discipline  in  Flanders  ;  and  British  discipline  in 
the  woods  is  the  way  to  have  men  slaughtered,  with  scarcely 
any  chance  of  defendinp;  themselves. 

Let  us  take  a  view  of  the  benefits  W(>  have  received  by  what 
little  we  have  learned  of  their  art  of  war,  which  cost  us  dear, 
and  the  loss  we  have  sustained  for  want  of  it,  and  th'Mi  see  if 
it  will  not  be  well  worth  our  while  to  retain  what  we  hav(>,  and 
also  to  endeavor  to  improve  in  this  necessary  branch  of  busi- 
ness. Though  we  have  made  considerable  proiiciency  in  this 
line,  and  in  some  respects  outdo  them.  vix.  as  marksmen,  and 
in  cutting  our  rides,  and  keeping  them  in  good  order;  yet  I 


ii 


m 


262 


COLONEL  SMITH'S   ADVENTURES. 


apprehend  we  are  far  bohiml  in  tlieir  inano'iivres,  or  in  being 
able  to  fturpri^^e,  or  j)rcvent  a  surprise.  May  we  not  conclude, 
that  the  proj^i-ress  we  had  made  in  their  art  of  war  contributed 
considerably  towards  our  success,  in  various  respects,  when 
contcndiniT  with  Great  Brit.-iin  for  liberty  ?  Had  the  British 
kinn;'  attempted  to  enslave  us  before  Braddock's  war,  in  all  pro- 
bability he  might  readily  have  done  it,  because,  exce[)t  the  New 
Enn-landers,  who  had  Ibrmerly  been  engag"ed  in  war  with  the 
Indians,  we  were  unacquainted  with  any  kind  of  war.  But 
after  lighting  such  a  subtle  and  barbarous  enemy  as  the  In- 
dians, we  were  not  terrified  at  the  a])proach  of  British  red-coals. 
Was  not  Burgoyne's  defeat  accomplished,  in  some  measure,  by 
the  Indian  mode  of  fighting?  And  did  not  General  Morgan's 
riflemen,  and  many  others,  fight  with  greater  success  in  con- 
sequence of  what  they  had  h'arned  of  their  art  of  war  ?  Ken- 
tucky would  not  have  been  settled  at  the  time  it  was,  had  the 
Virginians  been  altogether  ignorant  of  this  method  of  war. 

In  Braddock's  war  the  frontiers  were  laid  waste  for  above 
three  hundred  miles  long,  and  generally  about  thirty  broad, 
excepting  some  tliat  were  living  in  forts,  and  many  hundreds, 
or  perhaps  thousands,  killed  or  made  captives,  and  horses,  and 
all  kinds  of  property  carried  off.  But,  in  the  next  Indian  war, 
though  we  had  the  same  Indians  to  cope  with,  the  frontiers 
almost  all  stood  their  ground,  because  the\^  were  by  this  time, 
in  some  measure,  acquainted  with  their  mancKUvres;  and  the 
want  of  this  in  the  first  war  was  the  cause  of  the  loss  of  many 
hundreds  of  our  citizens,  and  much  treasure. 

Though  large  volumes  have  been  written  on  morality,  yet  it 
may  be  all  summed  up  in  saying,  do  as  you  would  wish  to  be 
done  by.     So  the  Indians  sum  up  the  art  of  war  in  the  follow- 


ing manner. 


The  business  of  the  private  warriors  is  to  be  under  command, 
or  punctually  to  obey  orders  ;  to  learn  to  march  abreast  in 
scattered  order,  so  as  to  lie  in  readiness  to  surround  the  enemy, 
or  to  prevent  being  surrounded  ;  to  be  good  marksmen,  and 
active  in  the  use  of  arms;  to  practise  running;  to  learn  to 
endure  hunger  or  hardships  with  patience  and  fortitude  ;  to  tell 
the  truth  at  all  times  to  their  officers,  but  more  especially  when 
sent  out  to  spy  the  enemy. 

Concernijig  Officers. — They  say  that  it  would  be  absurd  to 
appoint  a  man  an  officer  whose  skill  and  courage  had  never 
been  tried  ;  that  all  officers  should  be  advanced  only  according 
to  merit;  that  no  one  man  should  have  the  absolute  command 
of  an  army  ;  that  a  council  of  officers  are  to  determine  when 
and  how  an  attack  is  to  be  made  ;  that  it  is  the  business  of  the 
officers  to  lay  plans  to  take  every  advantage  of  the  enemy ;  to 


INDIAN   CUSTOMS. 


263 


,  or  in  Dcing 
ot  conclude, 
•  contributed 
pects,  wlicn 
I  tlie  British 
T,  in  all  pro- 
cpt  llie  New 
A'ar  with  the 
f  war.     But 
ly  as  the  In- 
sh  red-coats, 
measure,  by 
ral  Morgan's 
;cess   in  con- 
war  ?     Ken- 
was,  had  the 
d  of  war. 
ite  for  above 
thirty  broad, 
iiy  hundreds, 
\  horses,  and 
t  Indian  war, 
the   frontiers 
by  this  time, 
res ;  and  the 
loss  of  many 

)rality,  yet  it 
d  wish  to  be 
n  the  follow- 
er command, 
1  abreast  in 
d  the  enemy, 
irksmen,  and 
;  to  learn  to 
tude  ;  to  tell 
)ecially  when 

be  absurd  to 
70  had  never 
ily  according- 
ite  command 
ermine  when 
isiness  of  the 
c  enemy ;  to 


ambush  and  surprise  them,  and  to  prevent  being  ambushed  and 
surprised  themselves.  It  is  the  duty  of  oHii-crs  lo  prepare  and 
deliv(?r  speeches  lo  ih<^  men,  in  onh'r  to  animate  and  encourage 
them  ;  and  on  the  march,  to  prevent  the  n)en,  at  any  time,  I'rom 
getting  into  a  huddle,  because  if  the  enen)y  shou'  I  surround 
them  in  this  position  they  would  be  exposed  to  the  en'Mny's 
fire.  It  is  likewise  their  hiisim^ss  ;il  all  times  to  endeavf)r  to 
annoy  their  eniMuy,  and  save  their  own  men,  and  thfM'eforo 
ought  never  to  bring  on  an  altaclc  without  considerable  advan- 
tage, or  witlioul  what  ap])eared  to  them  the  sure  prospect  of 
victory,  and  that  with  the  loss  of  few  men  ;  and  if  at  any  time 
they  should  be  mistaken  in  this,  and  are  like  to  lose  many  men 
by  gaining  the  victory,  it  is  their  duty  to  retreat,  and  wait  lor 
a  better  opportunity  of  defeating  their  enemy,  without  the  dan- 
ger of  losing  so  many  men.  Their  conduct  proves  that  they 
act  upon  these  principles  ;  therefore  it  is  that,  from  Braddock's 
war  to  the  preseut  time,  they  have  seldom  ever  made  an  un- 
successful attack.  The  battle  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Ken- 
hawa  is  the  greatest  instance  of  this  ;  and  even  then,  though 
the  Indians  killed  about  three  for  one  they  lost,  yet  they  re- 
treated. The  loss  of  the  Virginians  in  this  action  was  seventy 
killed,  and  the  same  number  wounded.  The  Indians  lost 
twenty  killed  on  the  field,  and  eight  who  died  afterwards  of 
their  wounds.  This  was  the  greatest  loss  of  men  that  1  ever 
knew  the  Indians  to  sustain  in  any  one  battle.  They  will 
commonly  retreat  if  their  men  are  falling  fast;  they  will  not 
stand  cutting  like  the  Hiirhlanders  or  other  British  troops  ;  but 
this  proceeds  from  a  compliance  with  their  rules  of  war  rather 
than  cowardice.  If  they  are  surrounded  they  will  fight  while 
there  is  a  man  of  them  alive,  rather  than  surnm'ler.  When 
Colonel  John  Armstrong  surrounded  the  Catianynn  town,  on 
the  Alleghany  river,  Captain  Jacobs,  a  Delaware  chi  'f,  with 
some  warriors,  took  possession  of  a  house,  defended  lluMTiselves 
for  some  time,  and  killed  a  numlter  of  our  men.  As  Jacobs 
could  speak  English,  our  people  called  on  him  to  surrender. 
He  said  that  he  and  his  men  were  warriors,  and  they  would 
all  fight  while  life  remained.  He  was  again  told  that  they 
should  be  well  used  if  they  would  only  surrend(T  ;  and  if  not, 
the  house  should  be  burned  down  over  their  heads.  Jacobs 
replied,  he  could  eat  fire  ;  and  when  the  house  was  in  a  fiame, 
he,  and  they  that  w^re  with  hitn,  came  out  in  a  fighting  posi- 
tion, and  were  all  killed.  As  they  are  a  sharp,  active  kind  of 
people,  and  war  is  their  principal  study,  in  this  they  have 
arrived  at  considerable  perfection.  We  may  learn  of  the  In- 
dians what  is  useful  and  laudable,  and  at  the  same  time  lay 
aside  their  barbarous  proceedings.     It  is  much  to  be  lamented, 


261 


COLONEL   SMITHS   ADVENTURES. 


that  some  of  our  frontier  rinomon  are  too  prone  to  imitate  tliem 
in  llicir  iiilunnaiiiiy.  During  li)e  IJritisli  war,  a  coiisidcraLle 
nunihcr  of  men  from  bt'low  fort  I'itt  orossf^l  the  Olii^;  and 
marrlu'd  into  a  town  ol  friendly  Indians,  cliirlly  Delawares, 
wlio  prolt'^sc'ti  tlie  Moravian  rcliiiion.  As  the  Indians  appre- 
hended no  (lani,a'r,  they  neither  lifted  arms  nor  (led.  After 
these  riliemen  were  some  time  in  the  town,  and  the  Indians 
ahoiretlier  in  tiieir  power,  in  cool  lihjod  lliey  massacred  the 
whole  town,  without  distinction  of  age  or  sex.  This  was  an 
act  of  harbarity  beyond  any  thing  1  ever  knew  to  be  committed 
by  the  savages  themselves. 

Why  have  we  not  made  greater  proficiency  in  the  Indian  art 
of  war  i  \^  i;  because  we  are  too  proud  to  imitate  them,  (nen 
though  it  should  be  a  means  of  preserving  the  lives  of  many 
v-i  our  citizens  ?  No  !  We  are  not  above  borrowing  language 
from  them,  such  as  homony,  pone,  tomahawk,  &C.,  which  is  of 
little  or  no  use  to  us.  1  apprehend,  lluit  the  reasons  why  we 
have  not  improved  more  in  this  respect  are  as  follow  :  no 
important  accpiisition  is  to  be  obtained  but  by  attention  and 
diligence  ;  and  as  it  is  easier  to  learn  to  nmve  and  act  in  con- 
cert in  close  order  in  the  open  plain,  than  to  act  in  concert  in 
scattered  order  in  the  woods,  so  it  is  easier  to  learn  our  disci- 
pline than  the  Indian  manffiuvres.  They  train  up  their  boys 
in  the  art  of  war  from  the  time  they  are  twelve  or  fourteen 
years  of  age  ;  whereas,  the  principal  chance  o\ir  people  had  of 
learning  was  by  observing  their  mananivres  when  in  action 
against  us.  I  have  been  long  astonished  that  no  one  has  writ- 
ten upon  this  important  subject,  as  their  art  of  war  would  not 
only  be  of  use  to  us  in  case  of  aimther  rupture  with  them  ;  but 
were  only  part  of  our  men  taught  this  art,  accompanied  with 
our  continental  discipline,  I  thiidc  no  European  power,  after 
trial,  would  venture  to  show  its  head  in  the  American  woods. 

If  what  I  have  written  should  meet  the  approbation  of  my 
countrymen,  perhaps  I  may  publish  more  upon  this  subject  in 
a  future  edition. 


i  I 


265 


rnitate  thorn 
considfrable 
3  0\\\^;  and 

Dcia  wares, 
(liaiis  appre- 
flcMJ.     Aiu-r 

iho  Indians 
issarrtMl  tho 
Til  is  was  an 
)e  cnnnnittcd 

10  Indian  art 
[.'  tlicm,  oven 
ivcs  of  many 
in^r  lanfj^uago 
,  which  is  of 
pons  why  we 

follow :     no 
ittention  and 
id  act  in  con- 
in  concert  in 
irn  our  disci- 
up  their  boys 
e  or  fourteen 
leople  had  of 
)cn  in  action 
one  has  writ- 
ar  woukl  not 
th  them  ;  but 
npanied  with 

power,  after 
rican  woods, 
jbation  of  my 
his  subject  in 


A   FAITHFUL   NARRATIVE 

OF  THE  MANV  DANGERS  AND  SUFFERINGS,  AS  WELL  AS 
WONDERFUL  AND  SURPi  iL\G  DELIVERANCP^S,  OF  ROBERT 
EASTRURN,  DURING  HIS  LATE  CAPTIVITY  AMONG  THE 
INDIANS.  WRITTEN  BY  HIMSELF.  Pul.lislied  at  ih.;  earnest 
request  of  many  persons,  fur  (ho  henefit  of  the  Public.  With  a  recommen- 
datory Preface  hy  the  Rev.  Gilbert  Tcnnent.— Psalms  24,  C,  7,  and  193,  2,  4. 
Pliiladelpliia :  Printed.  Boston  :  Reprinted  and  sold  hy  Green  &  Russell,  oppo- 
site the  Probate  Office  in  Queen  street,  175S. 

Preface. — Candid  Reader  :  The  author  (and  subject)  of 
the  ensuin<T  narrative  (^vho  is  a  deacon  of  our  church,  and  has 
been  so  for  many  years)  is  of  surh  an  e.-^iablished  i^ood  char- 
acter, that  he  needs  no  rocommemlation  of  others  where  lie  is 
known  ;  a  proof  of  which  was  the  general  joy  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  tliis  city,  occasioned  by  his  return  from  a  miserable 
captivity;  toi^'-eiher  with  the  readiness  of  divers  persons  to  con- 
tribute to  the  relief  of  himself  and  necessitous  family,  without 
any  request  of  his,  or  the  least  motion  of  that  tendency.  But 
seeing  the  following  sheets  are  like  to  spread  into  many  places 
where  ho  is  not  Known,  permit  me  to  say  that,  upon  long 
acquaintance,  ]  have  tbuml  him  to  be  a  person  of  candor, 
integrity,  and  sincere  piety,  whose  testimony  may  with  safety 
be  depended  upon ;  which  give  his  narrative  the  greater 
weight,  and  may  induce  to  read  it  with  the  greater  pleusure. 
The  design  of  it  is  evidently  pious  ;   the  matters  contained   in 

23 


<  'If 


I 


2GG 


Ronr'RT  KASTBURN'S  CAI'TIVITV, 


it,  1111(1  iiinuMfr  of  haiulliii.'r  lliciii,  will,  1  li()|)<',  be  pstprrnrd 
by  till'  im|i:irti;il  to  l»r  ('iilcrtiuiiiiiir  and  improN  iii^r.  1  wish  it 
may,  by  tlic  diviiM-  bcncdiiMion.  be  ol  j.'ri';ii  and  (birabbj  ser- 
vice.     I  am  iby  sinct-rc  hcrviinl    in  the  L'"»-|i«d  ol   Jrviis  (Uirist. 

UiLiu;itT  Tj:nni^m. 
rbilad.'Ipbia,  January  lOlb.  \7r,f<. 

[CiND  Ki'ADf.iis  :  On  my  rdnin  from  my  ra|tti'viiy  I  bad  no 
ihouv.bts  of  |)ubli^^bi^i;■  any  oIim  ivations  </|  mini'  to  thf  world 
ill  ibis  manner.  As  I  bad  mt  ojiporlunily  to  K(  tj)  a  Journal, 
Hud  my  memory  bein<;  broken  and  capacity  .^mall,  I  was 
disinclineij  to  undertake  it.  Ibu  a  number  cd'  friends  uere 
pressino-  in  fbeir  persuasions  that  I  sliould  do  it  ;  witb  ubosi! 
motions  1  complied,  from  a  sincere  ree'ard  to  (jod,  my  kitii;  and 
country,  so  far  as  I  know  my  own  beart.  'I'lw  lollnwin^r 
|)ai;('s  contain,  as  far  as  1  can  remember,  tbe  most  material 
j;!^>afjces  tbal  liapp(>r»ed  witbiii  tlu^  com[)ass  of  my  observation 
wbile  a  prisoner  in  Canada.  Tlu'  lads  tberein  related  are 
certainly  true,  but  tbe  way  of  representint>-  some  lliin«fs  espe- 
cially, is  not  .so  reiTular,  (dear  and  stronir  as  I  could  wish  ;  but 
I  trust  it  will  lie  some  apoloL'^y,  tbfit  I  am  not  so  mucb  ac(juainl- 
v(\  with  performances  of  ibis  kind  as  many  others,  who  may 
be  hereby  excited  to  give  belter  representatifms  of  thiriffs,  far 
beyond  my  knowledg-e.  I  remain  your  uid'eigned  well-wisher 
and  humble  servant, 

RoUEHT    EasTBUKN. 

Pliiludelphia,  January  19,  1758. 


J> 


A  Fattttfui,  Narrative,  &;c. — About  tliirty  tradesmen  and 
mys(df  arrived  at  Captain  AVilliams'  fort,  at  tbe  carryinc^ 
pla<e,  in  our  way  to  Oswe'jo,  the  liCJib  of  March,  1756. 
Ca[tlain  Williams  informed  me  tbal  be  was  lik(^  to  be  cum- 
bered in  the  fort,  and  therefore  advised  \is  to  take  the  Indian 
bouse  for  our  l()di_'in<x.  About  ten  o'clock  next  day,  a  neL'roman 
came  runnii\i»'  down  the  road  and  rc^jiorled  thai  our  slaymen 
were  all  taken  by  the  enemy.  Cajilain  Williams,  on  bearinj'' 
tbi>,sent  a  sen,n'anland  about  twtdve  men  lo  see  if  it  werelr\ie. 
I  being  at  the  Indian  house,  and  not  thinkino- myself  safe  there, 
in  case  of  an  attack,  and  being  also  sincerely  willing  to  serve 
my  king  and  country,  in  the  best  manner  I  could  in  my  pres- 
ent circumstances,  asked  liirn  if  he  would  take  company.  He 
re])lied,  with  all  his  heart  I  hereupon  1  fell  into  the  rear  with 
my  arms,  and  marched  after  th(>m.  When  we  bad  advanced 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  we  lieard  a  sboi,  followed,  with  dole- 


noHEllT  EASTBURN'S  CAI'TIVITY.  207 


,  be   pstccnifMJ 

ii^r.      1  wisli  il 

I   (luriilil'i  ser- 

Jt-iis  I'Jirist. 

Tknni.nt. 


ffvily  1  liiitl  no 

•    to  tlir     WOllil 
«'p     !l     j(Uiril!ll, 

Miiall,  I  \\:is 
rricnils  utrc! 
L  ;  with  \\ln).><(' 
I,  my  Kini;  iiiid 
riic  t(tlli)uiii«^'- 
most  iiwilcrial 
ny  obscrviilioii 
in  rcliitfil  iirc 
lo  t!iin«,'s  «'>pe- 
uld  wish  ;  Imt 
nuch  accjUiUMl- 
luTs,  wlio  may 
i  of  t}rui^>,  far 
ed  well-wisher 

Eastcurn. 


tradcsinrn  and 

the    carrviiip 

March,    me. 

ko  to   be  ciim- 

ke  the    Indian 

y,  a  neoro  iuari 

I  (tiir  shiyineii 

IS,  (HI   hearing 

if  it  were  true. 

r  t'lf  safe  there, 

illiiur  to  serve 

(I  in   my  pres- 


oiiipany- 


lit 


^v 


ihe   rear  with 
had   nilvanced 
ed  with  dole- 


W 


fill    cries   of  a   dyin'/   tnaii,  which   excited   me   to  advaiin 


in 


or 


rder  to  disc()ver  tlie  enemy 


w 


ho  I 


■OOIl 


perceived  weri;    pre 


jiared  to  receive  us.      In  this  diOiciiIt   situation,  seeiiiir  a  largo 
j)ine  free  near,  I  repaired  to  it  for  shelter  ;  and  while  the  enemy 


d'  Killi 


were  viewitiL,''  our  party,  I,  liavmi!;  i«  •j'ooil  chance  dt  ulllm^ 
two  at  a  shot,  ipiickly  dischari^cd  at  ihem,  hut  could  not  cer- 
(ainly  Know  what  execution  was  dour'  till  s((in»>  time  al'ier. 
Our  company  likewise  discharged  nod  retreated.  S<eiiii^ 
mv>-''lf  ill  daiej^er  of  heiii'^r  siirrounded.  I  was  ohIiMcd  to  relreal 
a  dilli'reiil  course,  and  to  my  ernit  smprix'  I'ell  into  a  deep 
n)irc,  which  the  enemy  hy  folli.wini,'  my  trai'k  in  a  li'/lit  snow 
Moon  discovered,  and  ohliL'^ed  me  to  surr'^ider,  to  )ire\ciit  a  cruel 
dealh  ;  they  slandin'j;'  ready  to  drive  their  darts  inlr»  my  hodv, 
in  case  I  refused  to  deliver  up  my  arms.  Presently  after  I  was 
taken,  I  was  surrounded  hy  a  Ln-eat  numher,  who  stripjied  mc 
of  my  clotllin^^  hat  and  neckcloth,  so  that  I  had  notliine-  h.fi 
hut  a  (laiinel  vest  without  sleeves,  put  a  rope  on  my  iie(dv, 
bound  my  arms  fast  ludiind  me,  put  a  louf,^  band  routul  my 
body,  aiul  a  lar<re  j)a(d<  on  my  hack,  struck  me  a  severe  blow 
on  the  head,  and  drove  me  throufrh  the  woods  before  them.  It 
is  not  easy  to  conceive  how  distressinrr  such  n  condition  is. 
In  the  mean  time  I  endeavored  with  all  my  liitle  remaining^ 
streriiith  to  lift  up  my  eyes  to  (Jod,  from  whom  alone  1  could 
with  reason  expect  relitif. 

Seventeen  or  eitrhteen  prisoners  were  soon  added  to  our 
number,  one  of  whom  informed  me  that  the  Indians  were 
nn^n-y  with  me,  reported  to  some  of  their  chiefs  that  I  had  (irc^d 
on  them,  wounded  one  and  killed  another  ;  for  wliic  h  he 
doubted  not  they  would  kill  me. 

I  had  not  as  yet  learned  what  number  the  enemy's  parties 
consislcnl  of;  there  bein<j  only  about  one  hundred  Indians  who 
hiul  lain  in  and)ush  on  the  road  to  kill  or  take  into  c  riptivity 
all  thai  passed  between  the  two  forts.  }Iere  an  interpreter 
came  to  me  to  iiKjuire  what  strenir'li  Captain  Williams  had  to 
defend  his  fort.  After  a  short  j)ause  I  jjavc  such  a  discour- 
acini^  answer,  (yet  consistent  with  truth.)*  as  prevented  ilieir 
attack iiii^  it,  and  of  consecpience  the  elFusion  of  much  blood. 
Hereby  it  evidently  appeared  that  I  was  suffered  to  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy  to  promote  the  good  of  my  country- 
men, to  better  purpose  than  I  could  by  continuing  with  them. 

In  the  mean  time   the  enemy  determined   to  destroy  Bull's 

*  It  is  a  groat  pity  that  o  ir  modern  managers  of  Indian  affairs  hnd  not 
indule;od  in  such  scrupuk)ns  veracity.  They  would  prol)ahly  s;iy  our 
captive  was  ''more  nice  than  wise."'  But  perhaps  he  was  like  an  old 
acquaintance  of  mine,  who  used  to  say  sometimes  that  "  he  al-most  laid  a 
Uc,^'  though  tiot  quitt. — Ed 


I 


268 


ROBERT  EASTHLMIN'S  CAPTIVITY. 


fort,  (at  the  head  of  Wood  Crcok,)  whii  h  they  ^ooii  vflt'cted  ; 
all  heiiifj  put  to  the  sword,  cxfept  live  persons,  the  fort  hurnt, 
the  provisions  and  powdt-r  dt•^lr()yod,  (saving-  only  m  little  for 
ilicir  own  use.)  Then  they  retired  to  the  woods  nnd  joined  their 
main  body,  inflndinif  which,  consisted  of  loiir  hundred  FriMich 
and  three  hundred  Indians,  coininanded  hy  one  of  the  principal 
gentlemen  of  Cinehec.  y\.s  Mnnx  as  they  got  together,  (liaving  a 
prie.-t  with  them,)  they  fell  on  their  knees  and  retnrned  thiinks 
for  their  victory.  An  example  this,  worthy  of  imitation  I  an 
example  ^v■hich  may  make  profane",  ])retended  }*rot(>stants 
hlu.sh,  if  they  arc  not  lo.^t  to  all  sense  of  shame,'**'  wlm,  instead 
of  atdcnowledging  a  God,  or  providence,  in  their  military 
undertakings,  are  rontitunilly  re])roachin!r  him  with  oaths  and 
curses.  Is  it  any  wonder  the  attempts  of  such  are  blasted 
with  disappointment  and  disgrace? 

The  enemy  had  several  wounded  men,  both  French  and 
Indians,  among  them,  whom  they  carried  on  their  ba(d\s  ; 
besides  these,  about  hfleen  of  their  nundier  were  killed,  and 
of  us  about  forty.  It  being  hy  this  time  near  dark,  and  some 
Indians  drunk,  they  only  marched  about  four  miles  and 
encamped.  The  Indians  untied  my  arms,  cut  hendock  lionghs 
and  strewed  round  the  fire,  tied  my  band  to  two  trees,  with  my 
back  on  the  green  boughs,  (by  the  fire,)  covered  me  vvitfi  an 
old  hlanket,  and  lay  down  across  my  band,  on  each  side,  to 
prevent  my  escape  while  they  slept. 

Sunday  the  i2Sth,  we  rose  early  ;  the  commander  ordered  a 
hasty  retreat  towards  Canada,  for  fear  of  General  Johnson. 
In  the  mean  time,  one  of  our  men  said  he  understood  the 
French  and  Indians  designed  to  join  a  strong  part 3%  and  fall 
on  Oswego,  before  our  forces  at  that  place  could  get  any  j)ro- 
vision  or  succor;  having,  as  they  thought,  put  a  stop  to  our 
relieving  them  for  a  time.  When  encamped  in  the  evening, 
the  commanding  officer  ordered  the  Indians  to  bring  me  to  his 
tent,  and  aslced  me  ])y  an  interpreter  if  I  thought  General 
Johnson  would  follow  them.  I  told  him  I  judged  not,])ut  rather 
thought  he  would  proceed  to  Oswego,  (which  was  indeed  my 
sentiment,  grounded  upon  prior  information,  and  then  exprc&^sed 
to  prevent  the  execution  of  their  design.)  He  further  inquired 
what  my  trade  was.  I  told  him,  that  of  a  smith.  He  then 
persuaded  me,  when  I  got  to  Canada,  to  send  for  my  wife, 
"  for,"  said  he,  "  you  can  get  a  rich  living  there."  But  when 
he  saw  that  he  could  not  prevail,  he  asked  me  no  more  ques- 

*  What  would  Captain  Gyles  have  said  to  such  praise  of  Catholics  and 
their  velif^jion  ?  and  by  a  Protestant  too.  He  vould  no  doubt  have  said 
that  the  devil  had  helped  them,  inasmuch  as  no  good  spirit  would  have 
heard  the  prayers  of  '•  wicked  papists." — Ed 


I) 


nOBEUT  EASTBURN'S  CAPTIVITY. 


269 


jw  ofTcctcd  ; 
fort  liiirnt, 

;  n  littU-  for 
joiju'il  tlieir 
(Ircd  Froiich 
ihc  piiiuipiil 
cr,  (liiiv  iii^-  a 
init'd  tliaiiKs 
nitatiiiM  I  iiii 

Protostiuils 
who,  i1l^tf'ml 
icir  militiiry 
ih   oaths  and 

iU"   Masted 

Fronch  and 
thoir  hacks  ; 
(■  Killed,  and 
U,  and  soino 
r  miles  and 
nh)ck  houghs 
roes,  with  my 
mc  with  an 
ach   side,  to 

r  ordered  a 
il  Johnson, 
erstood  the 
rty,  and  fall 
Cfet  any  pro- 
stop  to  our 
le  eveninn;', 
LT  me  to  his 
:lit  General 
1,  ])nl  rather 
indeed  my 
en  expressed 
er  inquired 
.  He  then 
or  my  wife, 
But  when 
more  ques- 

Catholics  and 
ubt  ha.ve  said 
it  would  have 


ih 


\ 


lions,  but  commanded  me  lo  my  Indian  master.  Havinir  tliis 
opportunity  of  conversation,  1  inl'ormed  the  jroncral  that  his 
Indian  warriors  had  stripped  nu'  of  my  rlothiiii,saiid  \v<hiM  he 
glad  if  he  wtmid  he  i,'oo(l  enou'/h  to  order  me  some  rep  -f ;  to 
which  he  replied,  "  1  should  e;et  clothes  when  i  cannr  to  Can- 
ada," whii'.h  was  cold  comfort  to  one  almost  fro/en.  On  my 
return,  the  Indians,  perceivinic  I  was  unwell  and  could  not  eat 
their  coarse  food,  (U'dered  mhuh  chocolijte,  whicli  th»>y  hiid 
broui;hi  from  the  carrying-  place,  to  he  hoi  led  for  me,  and  -see- 
ing me  eat  that  appean-d  pleased.  A  strong  <ruard  was 
kept  every  night.  One  of  our  men  heitig  weakened  hy  his 
wounds,  and  rendered  unal>le  to  ke(>p  pace  with  them,  was 
killed  and  scalped  on  the  road  !  1  was  all  this  time  almost 
naked,  travelling  through  deep  snow,  and  wading  through  riv- 
ers, cold  as  ice ! 

After  seven  days'  marcli,  we  arrived  at  lake  Ontario,  vhere 
I  eat  some  hors(!  flesh,  which  tasted  very  airreeahly,  for  to  a 
hungry  man,  as  Solonmn  observes,  every  hitter  thing  is  sweet. 
On  the  Friday  before  we  arrived  at  the  lake,  the  Indians  killed 
a  porcupine.  The  Indians  threw  it  on  a  large  fire,  hiirnt  off 
the  hair  and  quills,  roasted  and  eat  of  it,  with  whom  I  had  a 
part. 

The  French  carried  several  of  their  wounded  men  all  the 
way  upon  their  backs ;  many  of  whom  wore  no  breeches  in 
their  travels  in  this  cold  season,  being  strong  hardy  men. 
The  Indians  had  three  of  their  party  wounded,  which  they 
likewise  carried  on  their  hacks.  I  wish  there  was  more  of 
this  hardiness,  so  necessary  for  war,  in  our  nation,  which  would 
open  a  more  encouraging  scene  than  appears  at  present.  The 
prisoners  were  so  divided,  that  but  few  could  converse  together 
on  the  march,  and  what  was  still  more  disagreeable  and  dis- 
tressing, an  Indian  who  had  a  large  bunch  of  green  scalps, 
taken  otfour  men's  heads,  marched  l)efore  me,  and  another  with 
a  sharp  spear  behind,  to  drive  mc  after  him,  hy  which  means  the 
scalps  were  often  close  to  my  face.  And  as  we  marched,  they 
frequently  every  day  gave  the  dead  shout,  which  was  repeated 
as  many  times  as  there  were  caj)tives  and  scalps  taken. 

I  may  with  justice  and  truth  observe,  that  our  enemies  leave 
no  stone  unturned  to  compass  our  ruin.  They  pray,  work, 
and  travel  to  bring  it  about,  and  are  unwearied  in  the  pursuit, 
while  many  among  us  sleep  in  a  storm  which  has  laid  a  good 
part  of  our  country  desolate,  and  threatens  the  whole  with 
destruction. 

April  4th,  several  French  batteaux  met  us,  and  brought  a 
large  supply  of  provision,  the  sight  of  which  ca  sed  great  joy, 
for  we  were  in  great  want.     Then  a  place  was      on  erected  to 

23* 


270 


ROBEx^T  EASTBURN'S  CAPTIVITY. 


:■;     ( 


ccle^iratc  mass  in,  which  being  ended,  we  all  went  over  the 
mouth  of  a  river,  where  it  empties  itself  into  the  east  end  of 
lake  Ontario.  A  yreat  part  of  our  company  set  off  on  foot 
towards  Oswegatchy.  while  the  rest  were  ordered  into  hatteaux 
and  carried  towards  the  extreme  of  St.  Lawrence,  (where  that 
river  takes  its  beginning-,)  but  by  reason  of  bad  weather,  wind, 
rain,  and  snow,  wtiereby  the  waters  of  the  hike  were  troubled, 
we  were  obliged  to  lie  by,  and  haul  our  hatteaux  on  shore. 
Here  I  lay  on  the  cold  shore  two  days.  Tuesday  set  off,  and 
entered  the  head  of  St.  Lawrence  in  the  afternoon  ;  came  too 
late  at  night,  mndc  fires,  but  did  not  lie  down  to  sleep.  Em- 
barking long  before  day,  and  after  some  miles'  progress  down 
the  river,  saw  many  fires  on  our  right  hand,  which  were  made 
by  the  men  who  loft  us  and  went  by  land.  With  them  we  staid 
till  day,  then  again  embarked  in  our  hatteaux.  The  weather 
was  very  bad,  (it  snowed  fast  all  day  ;)  near  night  we  arrived 
at  Osw^egatchy.  I  was  almost  starved  to  death,  but  hoj)ed  to 
stay  in  th.is  Indian  town  till  warm  weather  ;  slept  in  an  Indian 
wigwam,  rose  early  in  the  morning,  (being  Thursday,)  and 
soon  to  my  grief  discovered  my  disappointment.  Several  of 
the  prisoners  had  leave  to  tarry  here,  but  I  must  go  two  hun- 
dred miles  further  doT.  .1  stream,  to  another  Indian  town.  The 
moving  being  extremely  cold,  I  applied  to  a  French  merchant 
or  trader  for  some  old  rags  of  clothing,  for  I  was  almost  naked, 
but  to  no  purpose. 

About  ten  o'clock,  I  was  ordered  into  a  boat,  to  go  down  the 
river,  with  eight  or  nine  Indians,  one  of  whom  was  the  man 
wounded  in  the  skirmish  before  mentioned."^  At  night  we 
went  on  shore  ;  the  snow  being  much  deeper  than  before,  we 
cleared  it  away  and  made  a  large  fire.  Here,  when  the  wound- 
ed Indian  cast  his  eyes  upon  me,  his  old  grudge  revived  ;  he 
took  my  blanket  from  me  and  commanded  me  to  dance  round 
the  fire  barefoot,  and  sing  the  prisoner's  song,  which  I  utterly 
refused.  This  surprised  one  of  my  fellow-prisoners,  who  told 
me  they  would  put  me  to  death,  for  he  understood  what  they 
said.  He  therefore  tried  to  persuade  me  to  comply,  but  I  de- 
sired him  to  let  me  alone,  and  was  through  great  mercy  enabled 
to  reject  his  importunity  with  abhorrence.  This  Indian  also 
continued  urging,  saying,  you  shall  dance  and  si,ig  ;  but  ap- 
prehending my  compliance  sinful,  I  determined  to  persist  in 
declining  it  r?t  all  adventures,  and  leave  the  issue  to  the  divine 
disposal.  The  ndian,  perceiving  his  orders  disobeyed,  was 
fired  with  indignation,  and  endeavored  to  push  me  into  the  fire, 
which  I  leaped  over,  and  he,  being  weak  with  his  wounds,  and 

*  The  auihor  probably  refers  tc  die  time  he  was  taken. — Ed 


nit  over  the 
cast  end  of 
oir  on    foot 
into  lintteaux 
,  (whrn,'  ihat 
■atlicr,  wind, 
ere  ti(<nbled, 
jx   on   slu)re. 
J  set   ofl',  and 
»n  ;  came  too 
sleep.     Eni- 
•Qo^ress  down 
h  were  made 
hem  we  staid 
The   weather 
ht  we  arrived 
but  hoj>ed   to 
in  an  Indian 
mrsday,)  and 
Several   of 
go  two  hun- 
1  town.     The 
ich   merchant 
almost  naked, 

I  ofo  down  the 
was  the  man 
At  night  we 
an  before,  we 
n  the  wonnd- 
revived  ;   he 
dance  round 
ich  I  utterly 
Ts,  who  told 
od  what  they 
ily,  but  I  de- 
nercy  enabled 
s  Indian  also 
si,ig ;  but  ap- 
to  persist  in 
to  the  divine 
sobeyed,  was 
into  the  fire, 
wounds,  and 

en.— Ed 


ROBERT   EASTBURNS    CAPTTVITY. 


271 


not  being  assisted  by  any  of  bis  brethren,  was  ol)lio"<Ml  to  desist. 
For  this  gracious  interposun^  of  ProvidtMu-c,  in  prcs<i\  inn-  me 
both  from  sin  and  danger,  I  desire  to  bless  (io(l  while  I  live. 

Friday  nu)rninL''  I  was  alnio>t  perished  with  cold.  Saturday 
we  proi'eedod  on  our  way,  and  soon  came  in  sight  of  the  upper 
part  of  ilic  inliabitants  of  Canada.  Here  I  was  in  <.rr<'at  hojM^s 
Oi  .M)ni(;  reliof,  not  knowing  the  manner  of  the  Indians,  who 
do  not  malcc  many  stops  among  the  Frenrli  in  their  return 
from  war  till  they  get  home.  However,  when  they  came  near 
some  rapid  falls  of  water,  one  of  my  fellow-prisoners  and  several 
Indians,  together  willi  myself,  were  ]iui  on  shore  to  travel  by 
land,  which  pleased  me  well  ;  it  beini;-  much  warmer  running 
on  the  snow  than  to  lie  still  in  the  balteau.  We  passed  by 
"everal  French  houses,  but  stopped  at  none  ;  the  vessel  going 
uown  a  rapid  stream,  it  required  haste  to  keep  pace  with  her, 
and  we  crossed  over  a  point  of  land  and  found  the  batteau 
waiting  for  us,  as  near  the  shore  a^  the  ice  would  jiermit. 
Here  we  left  the  St.  Lawrence  and  turned  up  Conasadauga 
river,  but  it  being  frozen  up,  we  hauled  our  batteau  on  shore, 
and  each  of  us  took  our  share  of  her  loading  on  our  backs,  and 
marched  towards  Conasadauga,  an  Indian  town,  which  was 
our  designed  port,  but  could  not  reacli  it  that  night.  We  came 
to  a  French  house,  cold,  weary,  and  hungry.  Here  my  old 
friend,  the  wounded  Indian,  again  appearerl,  and  related  to  the 
Frenchman  the  affair  of  my  refusing  to  dance,  who  immedi- 
ately assisted  him  to  strip  me  of  my  llannel  vest,  which  was 
my  all.  Now  they  wrre  resolved  to  compel  me  to  dance  and 
sing.  The  French  nan  was  as  violent  as  the  Indian  in  pro- 
moting this  imposition  ;  but  the  woman  belonging  to  the  house 
seeing  the  rough  usage  I  had,  toolc  pity  on  nu'  and  rescued  me 
out  of  their  hands,  till  their  lu^at  was  over,  and  jirevailed  with 
the  Indian  to  excuse  me  from  dancing,  but  he  insisted  that  I 
must  be  shaved,  and  then  he  would  let  me  alone.  (I  had  at 
that  time  a  long  beard,  which  the  Indians  hate.)  With  this 
motion  I  readily  complied,  and  then  th(>y  seemed  contented. 

Sunday.  April  11th,  we  set  oft"  towards  Conasadauga,  and 
travelled  about  two  hours,  when  we  saw  the  town  over  a  great 
river,  which  was  still  frozen.  The  Irulians  stopped,  and  we 
were  soon  joined  with  a  number  of  cir  own  company,  which 
we  had  not  seen  for  several  days.  The  prisoners,  in  niimber 
eight,  were  ordered  to  lay  down  their  packs,  and  be  painted. 
The  wounded  Indian  paiiUed  me,  and  put  a  belt  of  wampum 
round  my  neck,  instead  of  the  rope  I  had  worn  four  hundred 
miles.  Then  we  set  off'  for  the  town  on  the  ice,  which  was 
four  miles  over.  Our  heads  were  not  allowed  to  be  covered, 
lest  our  fine  paint  should  be  hid,  the  weather  in  the  mean  time 


^ 


272 


ROBERT    EASTBURN'S  CAPTIVITY. 


very  t'old,  like  to  freeze  our  ear?;.  After  we  had  advanced 
nearer  to  tlie  town,  the  Indian  women  came  out  to  meei  us,  and 
reliev'd  their  hushands  of  their  packs. 

As  .soon  as  we  landc^d  at  Conasadaun-a  a  lar<je  body  of  In- 
dians came  and  encompassed  us  round,  and  ordered  the  prison- 
ers to  dance  and  sing-  the  prisoner's  song,  (which  I  was  still 
enahhjd  to  decline.)  At  the  conclusion  they  gave  a  shout,  and 
optned  the  ring  to  let  us  run,  and  then  fell  on  us  with  their 
fists,  and  knocked  several  down.  In  the  m(\'\n  time,  one  ran 
before  to  direct  us  to  an  Indian  house  which  was  open,  and  as 
soi.a  as  we  got  in  we  were  safe  from  beating.  My  head  was 
sore  with  bruises,  and  pained  me  several  days.  The  squaws 
were  kind  to  us,  gave  us  boiled  corn  and  beans  to  eat,  and  fire 
to  warm  us,  which  was  a  great  mercy,  for  I  was  both  cold  and 
hungry.  This  town  lies  about  thirty  miles  north-west  of  Mont- 
real. I  staid  here  till  the  ice  was  gone,  which  was  about  ten 
days,  and  then  was  sent  to  Cohnewago,  in  company  with  some 
Indians,  who,  when  they  came  within  hearing,  gave  notice  by 
their  way  of  shouting  that  they  had  a  prisoner,  on  which  the 
whole  town  rose  to  welcome  me,  which  was  the  more  distress- 
ing as  there  was  no  other  prisoner  in  their  hands.  When  we 
came  near  shore,  a  stout  Indian  took  hold  of  me,  and  hauled 
me  into  the  water,  which  was  knee  deep,  and  very  cold.  As 
soon  as  I  got  ashore  the  Indians  gathered  round  me,  ordered 
me  to  dance  and  sing,  although  I  was  stiff  with  cold  and  wet, 
and  lying  long  in  the  canoe.  I  only  stamped  to  prepare  for 
my  race,  and  was  encompassed  with  about  five  hundred  Indians, 
who  danced  and  sung,  and  at  last  gave  a  shout  and  opened  the 
circle.  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  Indian  lads  made  ready 
to  pelt  me  with  dirt  and  gravel-stones,  and  on  my  starting  off 
gave  me  a  smart  volley,  but  from  which  I  did  not  sufler  much 
hurt.  An  Indian  seeing  me  running,  met  me,  seized  and  held 
me  fast,  till  the  boys  had  stored  themselves  again  with  small 
stones,  and  then  let  me  go.  Now  I  fared  much  worse  than 
before,  for  a  small  stone  among  the  mud  hit  my  right  eye,  and 
my  head  and  face  were  so  covered  with  the  dirt  that  I  could 
scarce  see  my  way  ;  but  discovering  the  door  of  an  Indian 
house  standing  open,  I  ran  in.  From  this  retreat  I  was  soon 
dragged  to  be  pelted  more,  but  the  Indian  women,  being  more 
merciful,  interposed,  took  me  into  a  house,  brought  m:^  water 
to  wash,  and  gave  me  boiled  corn  and  beans  to  eat.  The  next 
day  I  was  brought  to  the  centre  of  the  town  and  cried  accord- 
ing to  the  Indian  custom,  in  order  to  be  sent  to  a  family  of 
Indians  two  hundred  miles  up  stream,  at  Oswegatchy,  and 
there  to  l)e  adopted  and  abused  no  more.  To  this  end  I  was 
delivered   to  tliree  young  men,  who  said  I  was  their  brother, 


ROBERT   EASTBURN'S   CArXIVITY. 


273 


id  advanced 
neet  us,  and 

body  of  In- 
1  the  prison- 
li  I  was  still 
a  sliout,  and 
IS  with  their 
nic,  one  ran 
open,  and  as 
ly  head  was 
The  squaws 
eal,  and  fire 
olh  cold  and 
,'est  of  Mont- 
ras  about  ten 
ly  with  some 
iv(^  notice  by 
)n  which  the 
lore  distress- 
When  we 
',  and  hauled 
ry  cold.     As 
me,  ordered 
:old  and  wet, 
D  prepare  for 
red  Indians, 
opened  the 
nade  ready 
starting  off 
suffer  much 
zed  and  held 
n  with  small 
worse  than 
<jhl  eye,  and 
that  1  could 
of  an  Indian 
t  I  was  soon 
being  more 
It  m3  water 
The  next 
ried  accord- 
a  family  of 
gatchy,  and 
is  end  I  was 
leir  brother, 


and  set  forward  on  our  way  to  the  aforesaid  town  with  a])out 
twenty  nior(\  but  by  reason  of  bad  weather  we  vrrro  obliged 
to  encamp  on  a  cold,  stony  shore  three  days,  and  then  proceed- 
ed on.  We  called  a'  ('oiiiisa(lau!.'a.  staid  there  about  a  week, 
in  which  lime  I  went  and  vicwi'd  four  houses  at  a  distance 
from  the  town,  about  a  (juartcr  of  a  mile  from  each  other,  in 
which  are  represented  in  large  paintings  the  suirerinirs  of  our 
Savior,  desiufued  to  draw  tlie  Indians  to  the  papist's  reliirion. 
The  work  is  curiously  done.  A  liltl(>  fiirtlier  statu!  three 
houses  near  tou'etlu.'r,  on  a  high  hill,  which  they  call  mount 
Calvary,  with  three  laru'e  crosses  before  them,  which  completes 
the  \v  hole  ri'presentation.  To  all  these  houses  the  papist-^  and 
Indians  re[)air,  in  performin'j  tluur  grand  processions,  which 
takes  u|)  much  tinu-. 

The  pains  the  papists  take  to  propatratc  such  a  bloody  reli- 
gion is  truly  surprisinu- ;  and  the  zeal  they  eir  ploy  to  propagate 
superstition  and  idolatry  should  make  Protestants  ashamed  of 
their  lukewarinness.  A  priest  asked  me  "  if  I  was  a  Catho- 
lic." I  answered  him,  "no;"  to  which  he  replied,  "no  bon." 
When  I  told  a  fellow-captive  of  this,  he  said  by  my  answer 
the  priest  uiulerstood  that  I  w  ;s  not  a  Christian.  Shortly  after 
another  asked  me  the  same  (jiu\-<tion,  aiul  I  answered,  "  yes, 
but  not  a  Roman  Catholic  ;"  but  he  too  said  "  no  bon  !  no 
bon  ! " 

We  next  set  ofT  on  our  journey  for  Oswegatchy,  against  a 
rapid  stream,  and  being  long  in  it,  and  our  provisions  growing 
short,  the  Indians  put  to  shore  a  little  before  night.  My  lot 
was  to  get  wood,  others  were  ordered  to  get  fires,  and  some  to 
hunt.  Our  kettle  was  put  over  the  fire  with  some  pounded 
Indian  corn,  and  after  it  i;;ul  boiled  about  two  hours  my  oldest 
Indiati  brother  returned  with  a  she, beaver,  big  with  young, 
which  he  sooii  cut  to  pieces  and  threw  into  the  kettle,  together 
with  the  guts,  and  toolc  \\\o  four  young  beavers  whole  as  they 
were  found  in  embryo,  and  put  them  likewise  into  the  kettle, 
and  when  all  was  well  boiled,  o-ave  each  of  us  a  large  dish  full 
of  the  broth,  of  which  W(.'  eal  freely,  and  then  part  of  the  old 
beaver  ;  the  tail  of  which  was  divided  er^ually  among  us,  there 
being  eisiht  at  our  fire.  The  four  young  beavers  were  cut  in 
the  middle,  and  each  of  us  e-ot  half  a  beaver.  I  watched  for 
an  opportunity  to  hide  my  sh.>re,  (having  satisfied  my;  elf  be- 
fore that  tender  dish  came  to  hand,)  which  if  they  Imc^  seen 
would  have  much  displeased  them.=^     The  other  Indians  catch- 

*  The  reader  will  observe  here  a  parallel  eustorn  tu  that  in  practice  a 
humlrei!  years  bel'ure  amon^  the  Itidiatis  who  carried  oil'  Stockwell.  They 
compelled  hirn  to  drink  rnci-oon  '.'at  ltefaiis«>  he  wished  to  save  soineof  the 
flesh  ul'oae  lor  another  tunc.     See  StocUwell'!)  Narrative. — Ed. 


.  I 


274 


ROBERT  EASTBURN'S   CAPTlViTY. 


ed  younjT  inuskrats,  thrust  -^  sliclv  I'^ronfh  their  ho(lir>.  uixi 
roasted  it  without  sliiiining  ur  (lros>iht;,  and  ^o  eat  tii  •"..  Next 
morriiiii,'-  we  hastened  on  our  jourijty,  whirh  continued  several 
days,  till  we  came  near  Osweintchy,  wiie-e  we  laniled  iil^out 
three  miles  from  the  tow.i  un  the  cont-ary  side  of  the  river. 
Here  I  was  to  he  adopted.  My  father  and  nioihcr,  whom  I 
bad  n(>ver  seen  hefore,  were  waitini^,  and  ordcretl  nic  into  an 
Indian  house,  where  we  were  directed  to  sit  down  sih-nt  for  a 
considerahlc  time.  The  Indians  appearen  very  sad,  and  my 
mother  hegan  to  cry,  and  continued  to  cry  aloud  for  some  time, 
and  then  dried  up  her  tea/s  and  received  me  for  her  son,  and 
took  me  over  the  river  to  the  Indian  town.  The  next  day  I 
was  ordered  to  go  to  mass  with  them,  hut  I  refused  once  and 
again  ;  yet  they  continued  their  importunities  several  days. 
Seeing  they  could  not  prevail  with  me,  they  seemed  nnudi  dis- 
pleased with  their  new  son.  I  was  then  sent  over  the  river  to 
be  employed  in  hard  hibor,  as  a  puuislnnent  i'or  iiot  going  to 
mass,  and  not  allowed  a  sight  of  or  any  conversation  witii  my 
fellow-prisoners.  The  old  Indian  man  with  whom  1  was 
ordered  to  work  had  a  wife  ae.d  children.  He  took  me 
into  the  woods  with  him,  and  made  signs  for  me  to  chop,  arid 
he  soon  saw  that  I  could  handle  the  axe.  Here  I  tried  to  rec- 
oncile myself  to  this  employ,  that  they  might  havo  no  occasion 
against  me,  except  concerning  the  law  of  my  God.  The  old 
man  began  to  appear  kind,  and  his  wife  gave  me  milk  and 
bread  when  we  came  home,  and  when  she  got  lish,  gave  me 
the  gills  to  eat,  out  of  real  kindness  ;  but  perceiving  1  did  not 
like  them,  gave  me  my  own  choice,  and  behaved  lovingly. 
When  we  had  finished  our  fence,  wluch  had  employed  us  about 
a  week,  1  showed  the  old  s([uaw^  my  shirt,  (having  worn  it  from 
the  time  I  v/as  first  tajjen  prisoner,  which  was  about  seven 
weeks,)  uW  m  rags,  dirt  and  lice.  She  said  it  was  not  good, 
and  broug'.i  ine  a  )iew  one  with  ruflled  sleeves,  saying  "that 
is  good."  which  I  thankfully  accepted.  The  next  day  they 
carried  me  back  to  the  Indian  town,  and  permitted  me  to  con- 
verse with  my  fellow-prisoners.  They  told  me  we  were  all  to 
be  sent  to  Montreal,  which  accordingly  came  to  pass. 

On  our  arrival  at  Montreal  we  had  our  lodgings  first  in  the 
Jesuits'  convent,  where  I  saw  a  great  number  of  priests  and 
people  who  came  to  confession.  After  some  stay  we  were 
ordered  to  attend  with  the  Indians  in  a  grand  council,  held 
before  the  head  general,  Vaudreuil.  We  prisoners  sat  in  our 
rank,  (surrounded  with  our  fathers  and  brethren.)  but  were 
asked  no  (piestions.  The  general  had  a.  number  of  officers  to 
attend  him  in  council,  where  a  noted  priest,  called  Picket,  sat 
at  his  right  hand,  who  understands  the  Indian  tongue  well. 


ROBERT  EASTBURN?   CAPTIVITY. 


275 


ir  l)od(>.  '..ii'i 
tl.  •■•,.     iNext 
limied  several 
landed  about 
L'  of  the  river. 
)tlicr,  wliom  I 
[mI  mc  into  an 
,vn  silent  for  a 
sad,  and  my 
for  some  time, 
r  her  son,  and 
I'he  next  day  I 
'used  once  and 
several  days. 
med  much  dis- 
•er  the  river  to 
:)r  not  ^'oing-  to 
lation  with  my 
wliom    1   was 
He    took  mc 
le  to  chop,  arid 
J  I  tried  to  rcc- 
iX'3  no  occasion 
:^od.     The  old 
!  mc  milk  and 
lish,  !zavc  me 
ivinu"  1  did  not 
aved    lovingly, 
ijoycd  us  about 
(T  worn  it  from 
s  about  seven 
was  not  good, 
s,  saying  "  that 
next'  day  they 
ited  me  to  con- 
we  were  all  to 
pass. 

ngs  first  in  the 
of  priests  and 
stay  wc  were 
I  cou'icil,  held 
ncrs  sat  in  our 
ren,)  but  were 
M'  of  olFicci's  to 
lied  Picket,  sat 
n  tongue  well. 


and  dops  niore  hurt  to  the  Engli>h  than  any  other  of  his  ord^r 
in  Canada.  His  dwelling  i.s  at  f>swe'_;aii'liv .  I', c  1  ^vns  in- 
foriuod  tliat  some  measures  wore  concci'ed  to  destriy  ()>\\'cg-j, 
which  had  been  long  in  atri'ation.  We  mft  on  our  jo>M-Mey 
many  b;iti(>aux  going  up  stream,  .villi  provision  and  i.ieii  "or  n.r. 
attack  on  our  frontiers,  which  contirrned  the  repon  TI..J 
couiiril  ailiouru''d  to  anotlu^r  day,  and  tlicn  brokf!  i';  '\Iy 
luiliaa  falser  and  mother  took  me  with  them  to  several  ■  :'..  ir 
old  acipiaiMianct\<,  who  were  French,  lo  show  them  their  iately 
adopte.l  siiii.  These  jicrsons  had  been  concerned  wiili  my 
father  ami  niher  Indians  in  destroyiiiL'"  many  Eni:li>h  families 
in  their  younger  days,  and,  (as  one  stimding  by  who  under- 
stood ;'.  ir  hmguage  said,)  were  boristine-  ol'  their  former  nmr- 
ders  !  Aft(>r  som(>  days  the  council  was  again  called,  licfore 
which  sr-vcral  of  the  Oneida  chiefs  appeared  and  olfered  some 
conjplaints  against  the  French's  attadiing  our  carryiuLV  place, 
it  being  their  land.  But  the  general  laborcnl  to  malce  them 
easy,  and  gave  them  sundry  presents  of  value,  which  they 
accepted.  The  French  are  exceedingly  careful  to  prevent 
spirituous  liquors  being  sold  among  the  Indians,  and  if  any 
i!ihabitant  is  proved  guilty  of  it,  their  temporal  iiUerest  is  (juitc 
broken,  and  corporal  punishment  is  inflicted  on  such  offenders. 
Herein  the  French  are  vastly  superior  to  us.  The  Indians  do 
not  fear  our  numbers,  (which  tliey  deride,)  because  of  (uir  un- 
happy divisions,  in  consequence  of  which  they  expect  'o  con- 
([\icr  us  eiuirely. 

Knowing  these  Oneidas  were  acquainted  with  Capt.  Wil- 
liams, at  the  carrying  place,  I  sent  a  letter  by  them  to  let  my 
family  and  friends  know  that  I  was  yet  alive,  '  nd  led  :  d  for 
redemption  ;  but  it  never  came  to  hand.  Th.  treaty  being 
entled,  the  ifiMieral  sent  about  ten  gallons  of  r  wi  ;.  to  the 
Indians,  which  they  divifled  anumg  us.  AHe.-.ards  canu>  the 
presents,  consisting  of  coats,  blankets,  shirts,  skins,  {in  jnake 
Indian  ^hoes,)  cloth,  (for  siockinirs,)  powder,  lead-shut,  am',  lo 
each  a  bag  of  paint  for  their  own  use,  &c. 

After  ue  j)risoners  had  our  slmrt^  my  mother  came  to  me 
with  at!  int'Tpreter,  and  told  me  1  might  stay  in  tht.-  town  at  a 
place  she  h;ul  found  for  me,  if  I  pleased.  Thi^  proposal  I 
almost  a_  •■d  to,  but  one  of  my  fellow-j^risoners,  with  whom  I 
iiad  had  b.-fore  some  discourse  about  makmg  our  escape,  op- 
posed the  motion,  and  said,  "  Pray  do  not  stay,  for.  if  you  do, 
we  shall  not  he  able  to  form  a  plan  for  our  deliverance  "  So 
I  told  \\or  I  diose  to  rro  home  with  her,  and  soon  set  (.'fT  by 
land,  in  our  way  thirli.-r,  to  Laschene,  distant  from  Montreal 
about  nine  miles.  Here  we  left  our  canoes,  and  proceeded 
without  delay  on  our  journey,  in  which  1  saw,  to  my  sorrow, 


41 


276 


ROBERT   EASTBURN'S  CArilVITY. 


I 


flTcal  nurnhors  of  soldiers  find  nuicli  provisions  in  motion 
towiirds  liike  Ontario.  After  ii  painful  and  distrvssinii"  jour- 
ney, wo  arrived  at  ()>\ve^';iic|iy,  wliere  \\i  lilceuise  .-aw  many 
balleaux,  \vi;li  provisions  and  soldiers,  daily  passinir  by  in  iheii- 
way  lo  Fronltniac,  uliicli  liiealU'  di-lri'sseil  nie  i'or  Osweiro. 
Hence  1  resolved,  if  possiMe,  to  eive  our  people  notice  ot' their 
danijcr.  To  this  end,  I  tijld  two  of  niy  fello\v-j)risoners  that 
it  was  not  a  time  \n  sleep,  and  asked  them  if  they  would  i;o 
with  me,  to  which  they  heartily  aereed.  I)ut  we  had  no  pro- 
vision, and  W(>re  clos(dy  eyed  by  the  enemy,  so  that  we  could  noi 
lay  uj)  a  stock  out  of  our  allowan(!e.  However,  at  thi^•  'ime, 
Mr.  Piidvet  had  concluded  to  diix  a  larye  irencdi  round  the 
town.  I  therefore  went  to  a  neuro,  the  principal  mauaL-'er  of 
this  work,  (who  imjuUI  speak  Enirlish,  FnMudi,  and  Indian 
well,)  and  ask(Hl  him  if  he  could  iret  emph»v  for  two  others 
anil  mys(df,  which  he  soon  did.  For  this  service  we  were 
to  have  meat,  [hoard,]  and  wattes.  Her(>  v.e  had  a  prospect 
of  procuring  provision  for  our  IliLjht.  'J'his,  after  some  time,  I 
obtainetl  for  myself,  and  then  aski>d  my  l)rfHhren  if  they  were 
ready.  They  said  "  they  were  not  yet,  but  that  Ann  Bow- 
man (our  fellow-prisoner)  had  hrouiiht  one  hundred  and  thirty 
dollars  from  Bull's  fort,  [wiien  it  was  destroyed,  as  has  been 
related,]  and  would  inve  them  all  they  m^Mled."  I  told  them 
it  was  not  safe  to  discdose  such  a  secret  to  her,  bat  they  blamed 
me  for  enteriainin;,^  such  fears,  and  applied  to  her  for  i)rovi- 
sions,  leitini,'-  her  know  our  intention.  She  immediately  in- 
formed the  prie.st  of  it  I  We  were  forthwith  apprehended,  the 
Imlians  informed  of  it,  and  a  court  called.  Four  of  ns  were 
ordered  by  this  court  to  be  conlined  in  a  room,  under  a  strong 
guard,  within  the  fort,  for  several  days.  From  hence,  another 
and  myself  were  sent  to  ColnK.'waL'o.  nndi  r  a  slrone-  guard  of 
sixty  Indians,  to  jirevent  my  plotting  any  more  against  the 
French,  and  to  banish  all  hope  of  my  escape  ! 

When  we  arrived  at  this  place,  it  pleased  God  to  incline  the 
captain  of  the  guard  to  show  me  gr(>at  kindness  in  giving  me 
liberty  to  walk  or  work  where  I  pleased,  within  any  small  dis- 
tance. 1  went  to  work'  with  a  French  smith  for  six  livres  and 
live  sous  per  week.  This  sum  the  captain  let  me  have  to  my- 
self, and  further  favored  me  with  the  privilege  of  lodging  at 
his  mother's  house,  (an  English  woman  named  [Mary  Harris, 
taken  captive  when  a  tdiild  from  Deerlield.  in  New  England,) 
who  told  me  she  was  my  ^grandmother,  and  was  kind;  but 
the  wages  being  small,  and  not  sulliciiait  to  procure  such  cloth- 
ing as  I  was  in  want  of,  I  proceeded  no  farther  with  the  smith, 
but  went  to  my  uncle  Peter,  and  lold  him  I  wanted  clothes, 
and  tluit  it  would  be  better  to  let  me  go  to  Montreal,  and  work 


Hi 


I      !^     I 


..■:.  a: 


ROBERT  EASTBURN'S   CAPTIVITY. 


277 


;  ill  motion 
?ssiny"  jtiur- 
ij  ^a\v  111  nil  y 
r  by  in  their 
or  l)>\\t"ro. 
(lice  ot  tlicir 
•i^on<'r>  iluU 
:.'y  would  go 

Imil  no  pro- 
'.ve  could  not 
al  thi>  'ijue, 
1    round  llie 

niana'j"''r  ol" 

Mild  Indiiui 
r  iwo  others 
ice  we  were 
d  a  prospect 
.><oine  lime,  I 
if  they  were 
t  Ann  Bow- 
ed and  thirty 

as  has  been 

I  t(dd  them 

,  they  blamed 

er  for  provi- 

ned lately  i'l- 
lii'iided,  the 
of  US  were 
der  a  strong 
ic(>,  another 
lo-  n-uard  of 
ai:;'ainst   the 

1  iiudine  llie 
n  Lriviu'^  mo 
IV  small  dis- 
i\  livre<  and 
lave  10  my- 
od'jiniX  at 
Mary  Harris, 
w  Finuland.) 
ind  ;  hut 
f  such  cloth- 
th  tlie  smith, 
iited  clothes, 
al,  and  work 


(>: 


there,  where  I  could  clothe  myself  better  than  by  stayino;  with 
him.      He  after  some  reasoniii'j;'  consented. 

I  set  offon  my  journey  to  Montreal,  and  on  my  entcriiej:  the 
city  met  an  Enirlish  smith,  who  took  me  to  worU  with  him. 
After  some  time  wo  si'itled  to  work  in  a  'hop  opposite  the 
general's  door,  where  we  had  an  opportunity  of  seoinu''  a  o;real 
part  of  the  forces  of  Canada,  both  French  and  Indians,  who 
were  commonly  brouii^ht  there  before  their  iioini:  out  to  war, 
and  likewise  all  prisonors.  Hy  this  moans  we  <j,n[  intelliijencc 
how  our  people  were  prepariiiij^  for  defence;  but  no  i^ood  news 
from  Oswe;xo,  which  made  mo  fear,  knowinuf  that  (rrcat  num- 
bers of  French  had  i^one  out  against  it,  and  hearing  there  were 
but  few  to  defend  it. 

Prayer?  were  put  np  in  all  the  churches  of  Canada,  and 
gr<'at  processions  made,  in  order  to  procure  success  to  their 
arms  against  poor  Oswego;  but  our  people  knew  little  of  their 
danger  till  it  was  too  late.  For,  to  my  surprise,  the  dismal 
news  came  that  the  French  had  taken  one  of  the  Oswej^o  forts. 
In  a  few  hours,  in  confirmation  of  this  news,  I  saw  the  Eng- 
lish standards,  the  melancholy^  trophies  of  victory,  and  the 
French  rejoicing  at  our  downfall,  and  mocking  us,  poor  pri- 
soners, in  our  exile  and  extremity,  which  was  no  great  argu- 
ment either  of  humanity  or  true  greatness  of  mind.  Great 
joy  appeared  in  all  their  faces,  which  they  expressed  in  loud 
shouts,  firing  of  cannon,  and  returning  thanks  in  their  churches. 
But  our  faces  were  covered  with  shame,  and  our  hearts  filled 
with  grief  I"* 

Soon  after,  I  saw  several  of  the  officers  brought  in  prisoner;? 
in  small  parties,  and  soldiers  in  the  same  manner,  who  were 
confined  within  the  walls  [of  the  fort]  in  a  starving  condition, 
in  order  to  malv(>  them  work,  whii-h  some  complied  with,  while 
others  bravrly  refused  ;  and  last  of  all  came  the  tradesmen, 
amonuf  whom  was  my  son,  who,  looking  round,  saw  me,  to  his 
great  surprise,  for  he  had  su|)posed  I  was  dead.  This  joyful 
sight  sf)  afi'ecte(l  him  that  he  wept  ;  nor  could  I  refrain  from 
the  expression  of  a  father's  tenderness,  in  the  same  kind,  upon 
so  extraordinary  an  occasion  ;  it  was  far  more  than  I  can  dis- 
close in  writing,  and  therefore  must  cover  it  with  a  veil  of 
silence.  But  he,  with  all  my  Philaihdphia  friends,  being 
guarded  by  soldiers,  with  fixed  bayonets,  we  could  not  come 
near  each  other.  They  were  sent  to  the  common  pournl,  but 
I  hastened  to  the  interpreter  to  try  to  iret  my  son  set  at  liberty, 
which  was  soon  efiected.  When  we  had  \\\o  happiness  of  an 
interview,  he  gave  me  some  information  of  the   slate  of  our 

♦Osweoro  was  taken    July  15th,  175(),  and   1400  English  were  made 
prisoaers.— Ed. 

24 


>  i 


278 


ROBERT   EASTBURN'S  CAPTIVITY. 


Ml 


family,  and  told  me  lluil,  as  soon  as  the  news  n-acli'Mi  iiomc 
tlial  1  was  kilk'd  or  l.'iKcn,  his  niollnM'  was  not  allowiii  any 
fiirilicr  waycs  of  mine,  which  j^rieved  nic  mui-li,  and  aildid  lo 
rny  oihor  aillii'lions. 

Jn  the  mean  linn'  it  n'avo  me  some  pleasure  in  this  situation 
to  see  an  expression  of  eipial  aliei-tion  and  prudence  in  my 
son's  con(hict,  wh(^  thou^di  younq-  in  years,  (ahout  seventeen,) 
ihiil  he,  in  such  a  confused  state  of  tliin<i|-s,  had  taken  ciire  to 
brin!^',  with  much  hibor  and  faiii^ue,  u  hirye  bundle,  of  consi- 
deralile  value  to  me,  of  clothing-,  &cc.,  of  which  I  was  in  tJireat 
need.  He  likewise  saved  a  quantity  of  vvan)pnm  which  we 
broufrht  from  New  York,  and  afterwards  sold  it  liert"  lor  one 
iumdred  and  fifty  livres.  He  travelled  with  me  part  of  the 
journey  towards  Oswego,  but  not  being  so  far  on  his  way  as 
I  was  when  taken,  did  not  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands  until 
that  place  was  taken.  At  that  time  he  was  delivered  in  a 
remarkable  manner  from  a  wretched  captivity  among  distant 
Indians.  His  escape  was  in  this  Uianner :  fifteen  young  white 
prisoners  were  selected  out  to  be  delivered  into  their  power, 
who,  from  a  well-known  custom  among  the  Indians,  there  was 
no  doubt,  were  to  supply  the  places  of  those  they  had  lost  in 
tlie  war.  Of  this  number  was  my  son.  The  French  artfully 
concealed  their  destination,  and  pretended  they  Averc  designed 
to  labor  in  the  batteaux.  JNIy  son,  seeing  that  most  of  the 
selection  were  small  lads,  doubted  their  pretensions,  for  they 
were  not  ecpial  to  such  performance.  Watching  his  opportu- 
nity, he  slipped  from  his  place  in  the  ranks  unnoticed,  and  lay 
concealed  until  his  place  was  filled  by  another.  The  other 
unhappy  youths  were  delivered  up  a  sacrifice  to  the  Indian 
enemy,  to  be  instructed  in  popish  principles,  and  be  emjjioyed 
in  murdering  their  countrymen,  yea,  j)erhaps,  their  own  fa- 
thers, mothers,  and  lirethren  !     O  horrible  !      O  lamentable  ! 

The  insatiable  thirst  of  the  French  for  empire^  is  height- 
ened, doubll(>ss,  from  the  pardons  they  receive  from  the  pope 
and  tlit'ir  priests,  [as  will  appear  from  the  following  fjicts  :] 
On  a  Sabbath  day  I  went  to  see  what  was  the  occasion  of  a 
great  concourse  of  people  at  a  chapel.  1  found  a  kind  of  lair, 
at  whicli  were  sold  cakes,  wine,  brandy,  tVc.  Numbers  of 
peoj)le  were  going  in  and  out  of  the  chapel,  over  the  door  of 
which  was  a  board  hanging,  and  on  it  was  written,  in  large 
capital  letters,  "  Indulgence  plenary,  or  full  pardon."  To  return 
to  my  narrative. 

*  The  author  wished  probably  to  convey  the  idea  that  the  French  might 
commit  any  crimes  in  tlie  ac(iuisition  of  empire,  witliont  fear  of  future 
punishment,  so  long  as  they  availed  themselves  of  absolution,  which  it 
appears,  from  his  next  paragraph,  was  very  promnienily  held  forth. 


I 


ROBERT  EASTBURN'S  CAPTIVITY. 


279 


';U'll''il  liiilUi' 
allou'il  any 
mid  luldfil  lo 


,liis  situation 
(Ifiice  ii;  riiy 
t  scvcntciMi,) 
lakcMi  cari^  to 
He,  of  ('oiisi- 
was  ill  i,Tc'at 
111  whii'li  we 
here  ior  one 
■  part  of  the 
1  his  way  ay 
;  hands  until 
elivered  in  a 
inoiiL!^  distant 
youii<>'  white 
their  power, 
IS,  there  was 
y  had  h)st  in 
encli  arifully 
ere  designed 
most  of  the 
ons,  for  they 

lis  opportu- 
iccd,  and  lay 
Tlie  other 
|o  the  Indian 

)e  ein})l()yed 
icir  own  fa- 


ni( 


■ninl 


)ie 


*  is  lu-i^-ht- 
iin  the  ])ope 
winii:  facts  ;j 
ccasion  of  a 
\iud  of  lair, 
Nninhers  of 
'  the  (h)or  of 
en,  in  larije 
"    To  return 


French  might 

I'l'iir  (»f  I'uture 
lit  Kill,  which  it 
Id  forth. 


When  the  people  taken  at  Oswego  were  setting  out  on  their 
way  to  tiu(d)ec,  I  made  application  for  lihcrty  to  ^0  with  thcMU, 
hut  the  interpreter  said  I  was  an  Indian  prisoner,  and  the 
fjeneral  wonhl  not  sutler  it  till  the  Indians  weri'  satisfied;  and 
as  iliev  lived  two  huiidri'd  iiiile.s  from  Montreal,  it  could  not 
hi'  done  at  that  time.  Findini,^  that  all  arijuinents  on  that 
head  would  not  avail,  because  I  was  not  inchulcd  in  the  capiiii- 
lalioii,  I  told  the  interpreter  my  son  must  ixv,  and  leave  ni(\ 
to  he  ready  at  Qiielx-c  to  ijo  lionic  when  the  Oswejo  people 
went,  which  prohahly  would  he  soon.  He  replied,  "It  would 
he  better  to  keep  him  with  me,  lor  it  mi^'hl  be  a  mean  to  <j;vt 
nie  clear  imiidi  sooner." 

Till'  ollii'cr-  helonL''inL''  to  Osweiro  would  irladly  have  had 
me  with  them,  but  found  it  iiiij)racticabl<'.  This  was  an  in- 
stance (d  Kindness  and  condescension  for  whiidi  I  was  (^'really 
oblii>-e(l.  Capl.  Bradley  <.r;ive  me  a  tjood  c(jat,  vest,  and  shirt, 
and  a  younn  ^I'litlemaii,  who  Ibrmerly  lived  in  I'liiladidphia, 
(by  name  James  Stoiu',  doctor  at  Osweijo,)  ^ave  inc  four  pis- 
toles. These  eApressions  ol"  kindness  1  remember  with  grati- 
tude, and,  if  ever  in  my  jiower,  will  re([uit(\  This  money, 
with  what  my  -^on  brouniit  ine,  1  was  in  hojies  would  ^-"o  far 
towards  procuring  tny  ndeasc  from  my  Indian  masters.  ]Jnt 
seeinsT  a  number  of  prisoners  ii  sore  distress,  ainong  whom 
were  Capt.  Grant  and  Capt.  Shepherd,  and  about  seven  more 
in  company,  I  thought  it  my  duiy  to  relieve  them,  and  commit 
my  release  lo  tlic  disposal  of  Proviiience,  nor  was  this  sutlercd 
to  turn  to  my  disadvantage  in  the  issue,  for  my  deliverance 
was  brouiifhl  about  in  due  time,  in  another  and  unexpected 
way.  This  company  informed  me  of  their  intention  to  escajio  ; 
accordingly  I  gave  them  all  tlu!  help  in  my  jiower,  saw  them 
clear  of  the  town  on  a  Saturday  evening,  before  the  sentries 
wi're  set  at  the  gates,  and  advised  them  not  to  part  from  each 
other,  and  delivered  to  Capt.  Sln^plierd  two  pocket  compasses  ; 
hut,  contrary  to  this  counsel,  they  parieil,  and  saw  each  other 
no  more.  By  their  separating,  Captain  Grant  and  Sergeant 
Newel  were  deprived  of  the  henefit  of  a  compass  ;  the  ethers  got 
safe  to  fort  William  Henry,  as  I  was  informed  hy  Serrreani  Hen- 
ry, who  was  brought  in  prisoner,  being  taken  in  a  battle,  when 
the  gallant  and  indefatigable  Capl.  Rogers  made  a  brave  stand 
against  more  than  twice  his  number.*     But  I  have  not  heard 

*  About  the  Ulst  of  .Ma}',  17.5(5,  Capt.  Rof^ers,  with  :)iily  eleven  irirn,  am- 
bushed the  carryinj?  place  between  lakes  George  and  Champlaiii  fired  on 
a  party  ot"  twenty-two  Frenclmien.  and  killed  six.  He  had  let  another 
party  oi'  US  iin-ii  pass  mily  "a  lew  iniiuitcs  before. "  who  iiniMeiuately 
returned  and  rescued  the  otliers,  and  obliged  the  Englisli  to  lly.  Rogers 
says  nothing  about  having  any  ol' Ids  men  taken,  but  took  one  himsell'. — 
Mogers'  Ji/umal. — Ed. 


m 


» 


280 


ROBERT   E7\STBURN'S  CAPTIVITY. 


I 


any  account  of  Capt.  Grant.  I  was  onahlcMl,  throujrh  ithjcIi 
mercy,  to  contimu'  comimuncaliDUf  rcliel  to  oilier  prisoners  out 
of  the  waj^es  I  received  lor  my  labors,  which  was  forty  livrcs 
per  month. 

In  the  latter  part  of  winter,  coal  and  iron  wore  so  scarce 
that  it  was  dillicult  to  i;('^  work.  I  then  offered  to  work  for 
my  hoard,  ratln^r  than  to  he  thrust  into  a  stink inii^  dungeon,  or 
sent  amont(  »he  Indians.  The  interpreter  look  some  pains, 
which  I  ihardil'uUy  acknowled'a',  without  success,  in  my  behall". 
However,  as  I  oti'ered  lo  woric  without  wag'cs,  a  Frenchman 
took  me  and  my  son  in  upon  these  terms.  Here  we  staid  one 
week,  and  hearini;  of  no  oilier  (diance,  our  employer  olKered  as 
thirty  livres  a  month  lo  lilow  the  Ixdlows  and  strike,  which  1 
did  for  ab(Mit  Iwo  months,  and  then  was  discharged,  and 
travelled  about,  from  jilace  to  place,  bavin'/  no  fixed  ahod(\ 
In  this  dilemma  1  was  (ibli<red  to  spend  mv  little  earninL''s  for 
food  to  live  upon,  and  my  lodLrini:  was  the  hay-loll.  1  then 
made  my  case  known  to  the  kind  interpreter,  and  refjuested 
hini  to  consider  of  some  means  for  my  relief.  He  said  he 
would. 

Meanwhile,  as  I  was  taking  a  walk  in  the  city,  I  met  an 
Indian  prisoner  [a  prisoner  ainouG^  them]  that  helouij^ed  lo  the 
town  where  my  father  lived.  He  reported  that  a  ^reat  part  of 
the  Ituli;ins  thcr(>  had  just  arrived  with  the  resolution  to  carry 
me  back  with  them  ;  and  knowinjjf  him  to  be  !i  very  honest 
fellow,  I  believed  him,  and  fled  from  the  town,  and  concealed 
myself  from  the  Indians.  Schemes  were  now  formed  for  an 
escape,  and  well  prosecuted  to  a  fortunate  issue.  General 
Vaudreuil  gave  me  and  my  son  libi^rly  (under  his  hand)  to  go 
to  Quebec,  and  to  work  there  at  our  pleasure,  without  confine- 
ment, as  prisoners  of  war.  By  this  means  I  was  freed  frou» 
paying  a  ransom. 

The  coinmissary,  IMonsienr  Portwee,  [?]  biiucr  about  to  set 
ofl' for  Quebec,  my  son  informed  me  I  must  come  to  town  in 
the  evening,  a  passage  being-  provided  for  us.  I  w%aited  till  near 
dark,  and  then  entered  the;  town  with  great  caution,  to  escape 
the  Indians,  who  kept  watch  for  nn  ,  and  had  done  so  for  some 
time,  which  made  it  very  difficult  and  dangerous  to  move  ;  but 
as  they  had  no  knowledge  of  my  son,  ho  could  walch  their 
motions  without  suspicion.  In  the  morning,  upon  seeing  an 
Indian  set  to  watch  for  me  over  agains-t  the  house  I  was  in,  I 
quickly  made  my  esrape  through  the  back  part  of  the  house, 
over  some  high  pickets,  and  so  out  of  the  city  to  the  river-side, 
and  fled.  A  friend,  knowing  my  scheme  for  deliverance, 
kindly  assisted  me  to  conceal  myself.  The  commissary  had 
now  got  ready  for  his  voyage,  of  which  m'y  son  gave  me  no- 


ROBERT   EASTBURN'S  CAPTIVITY. 


281 


>j| 


uijh  miu'li 
isojHTs  out 
forty  livres 

p  so  scarce 
o  work  for 
hmt^con,  or 
oino  pains, 
my  bt'half. 
Frcncluiiaii 
•e  ^lai<l  one 
r  oflcroil  lis 
Uc,  which  I 
lurLicd,   aiul 

ixi.'(l    iil)()(l<'. 

.•aniintrs  for 
oft.  I  then 
(I  r(>qtiostt'il 
lie   said  \\v 

y,  I  mot  an 

nvj^cd  to  the 

Treat  part  of 

ion  to  carry 

verv  honest 

d  concealed 

ncd  for  an 

General 

land)  to  go 

ut  confine- 

fff'cd  fron> 

bout  to  set 
to  town  in 
ted  till  near 
n,  to  escape 
so  for  some 
move  ;  but 
walch  their 
seeinpf  an 
I  was  in,  I 
the  house, 
e  river-side, 
deliverance, 
nissary  had 
ave  me  no- 


\ 


ticc.  With  no  lini^erincf  motion  I  repaired  to  the  boat,  was 
received  on  board,  L^ot  otl"  undiscovered,  and  saw  the  Indians 
no  more  !  A  very  narrow  and  sur|)'"i>ini.r  escape  from  a  violent 
death  I  for  they  had  ihlmniii'd  to  Idil  me  if  ever  1  ait(in|)led 
to  leave  them. 

I  arrived  at  t^uebec  May  1st.  The  honorable  Col,  Vo[cr 
iS/huyler,  hearinsr  of  my  cominvj-  there,  Kindly  sent  for  me,  and 
after  in(piiries  about  my  welfare  generously  told  me  1  shmild 
b<!  suppli('(|,  ;ind  i»(<,'(|  not  trouble  myself  ibr  sup|,(»rt.  This 
publi'"-spirited  gentlen)an,  who  is  indeed  an  hoi)or  to  his  coun- 
try, did  in  like  manner  nobly  relieve  many  other  poor  prisoners 
at  Quebec.  Here  I  had  full  liberty  to  walk'  where  i  plei^ed 
to  vitnv  the  city,  which  is  well  siluatcnl  for  sirengih,  but  far 
from  being  impri'srnable. 

Here,  1  hope,  it  will  not  be  iud!.red  improper  to  give  a  short 
hint  of  the  Freneh  e-overnor's  eomluct.  Even  in  t'"ine  of  peace 
he  gives  the  Indians  great  encouragement  to  murder  and  cap- 
tivate the  poor  inhabitants  on  our  frontiers.*  Aii  h  iri-st  good 
mail,  named  William  Ross,  was  taken  prisoner  twice  i  ',  time 
of  peace.  When  he  was  first  taken  he  learned  a  little  of  the 
French  language,  was  afterwards  redeemed,  and  got  to  his 
place  of  abode.  Some  yiNirs  after,  he,  with  two  sons,  was  again 
taken,  and  brought  to  (Quebec.  The  governor  seeing  the  poor 
man  was  lame,  and  that  one  of  his  legs  was  smaller  than  the 
other,  reproved  the  Indians  for  not  killing  him,  asking  them 
"  what  they  brought  n  lame  man  there  for  who  could  do 
nothing  but  eat!  You  should  have  brought  his  scalp!" 
However,  another  of  his  countrymen,  more  merciful  than  his 
excellency,  knowing  the  poor  prisoner  to  be  a  quiet,  hard- 
working man,  redeemed  him  from  the  Indians,  and  two  ether 
Frenchmen  bought  his  two  sons.  Here  they  had  been  slaves 
more  than  three  years  when  I  first  arrived  at  Quebec.  This 
account  I  had  from  Mr.  Ross  himself,  who  further  added,  that 
the  governor  gave  the  Indians  presents  to  encourage  them  to 
proceinl  in  that  kind  of  work,  which  is  a  scandal  to  any  civil- 
ized nation,  and  what  many  pagans  would  abhor.  Here,  also, 
I  saw  one  ]\Ir.  Johnson,  who  was  taken  in  a  time  of  peace, 
with  his  wife  and  three  small  children.  A  fourth  was  born  on 
the  way,  whom  Mrs.  Johnson  named  Captive. t  All  of  these 
had  been  pr    oners  between  three   and  four    years.     Several 

*  The  author  cfrfainly  discovers  ffrvni  rare  for  veracity  in  the  course 
of  his  n;iinitivc,  but  lie  may  have  erred  here.     Wc  hope  he  has. — Ed. 

f  On  Mrs.  .Johnson's  return  out  of  captivity  she  had  pubhshed  a  very 
full  and  excellent  account  of  it,  which  has  ^'one  throu;^h  at  least  four 
editions  siuce  1796.     The  last  (Lowell,  1834)  is  quite  imperfect. — Ed. 

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282 


ROBERT  EASTBURN'S   CAPTIVITY, 


id   Mr.  Join 


ife' 


ister, 


>rc  likewise 


young  men, 

tak(-!»  with  ihcin,  and  ma(!'^>  slaves. 

Our  cartel  beincf  ready,  1  obtained  liberty  to  go  to  Enirland 
in  her.  We  set  sail  the  23d  of  July,  17.'5'7,  in  the  inoruino;, 
and  discharged  our  pilot  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
After  that  we  neither  cast  anchor  nor  lead  till  we  got  clear  of 
the  great  river  St.  Lawrence  ;  from  which  I  conclude  the  navi- 
gation to  be  much  saf(>r  than  the  French  have  reported.  In 
28  days  we  arrived  at  Plymouth,  which  occasioned  great  joy 
[to  us],  for  we  wcm-o  ran"gefl,  lousy,  sick,  and  in  a  manner 
starved  ;  and  many  of  the  prisoners,  (who  were  in  all  about 
three  hundred,)  were  sick  of  the  small-pox.  IMyself  and  son 
having  each  a  blanket  coat,  (which  we  bought  in  Canada  to 
keep  us  warm,)  and  now  expecting  relief,  gave  them  to  poor 
sick  men,  almost  naked.  We  were  not  allowed  to  go  on 
shore,  but  were  removed  to  a  kirn^'s  ship,  and  sent  to  Forts- 
mouth,  where  we  were  still  contlned  on  board  near  two  weeks, 
and  then  removed  to  the  Mermaid,  to  be  sent  to  Boston.  We 
now  repented  our  well-meant  though  rash  charity  in  giving 
our  coats  away,  as  wc  were  not  to  get  any  more  ;  all  applica- 
tions to  the  captain  for  any  kind  of  covering  being  in  vain. 
Our  joy  was  turned  into  sorrow  at  the  prospect  of  corning  on  a 
cold  coast,  in  the  beginning  of  winter,  almost  naked,  which  was 
not  a  little  increased  by  a  near  view  of  our  mother  country  ; 
the  soil  and  comforts  of  which  we  were  not  sufTered  to  touch 
or  taste.* 

September  the  6th  we  sailed  for  Boston,  with  a  fleet  in  con- 
voy, at  which  we  arrived  on  the  7th  of  November,  in  the 
evening.  It  being  dark,  and  we  strangers  and  poor,  it  was  dif- 
ficult to  get  a  lodging.  I  had  no  shoes,  and  but  pieces  of 
stockings,  and  the  weather  very  cold.  We  were  indeed 
directed  to  a  tavern,  but  found  cold  enteiiainment  there  ;  the 
master  of  the  house,  seeing  a  ragged  and  lousy  company, 
turned  i  s  ^ut  to  wander  in  the  dark.  He  was  suspicious  of 
us,  and  feared  we  came  from  Halifax,  where  the  small-pox 
then  was,  and  told  us  he  was  ordered  not  to  receive  such  as 
came  from  thence.  We  soon  met  a  young  man  who  said  he 
could  find  lodgings  for  us,  but  still  detained  us  by  asking 
many  questions.  I  told  him  we  were  in  no  condition  to 
answer  them  till  we  came  to  a  more  comfortable  place,  which 

*  Such  barbarous  treatment  of  poor  prisoners,  by  a  government  like 
that  of  England,  who  had  hazarded  Iheir  lives  in  its  cause,  is  almost 
incredible.  Thus  brutes  might  treat  men,  but  7nen  will  not  deal  so  with 
men.  A  mi.serable  old  cartel  hulk  may  contain  germs  destined  to  shake 
the  thrones  of  tyrants. — Ed. 


nc  likewise 

to  England 
:•  morn  inn-, 
'  aftfTuoon, 
i;ot  clfar  of 
c  the  iiuvi- 
^orlcd.  In 
1   irroat  joy 

a  niatnier 
1  all  about 
'If  and  son 
Canada  to 
m  to  poor 
1  to  sro  on 
:  to  Ports- 
two  weeks, 
ston.  We 
'  in  giving^ 
ill  applica- 
g  in  vain. 
Dming  on  a 

which  was 
r  country  ; 
d  to  touch 

eet  in  con- 

)er,  in   the 

it  was  dif- 

pieces  of 
;re  indeed 
there  ;  the 

company, 
ipicious  of 

small-pox 
e  such  as 
10  said  he 
by  asking 
ndition  to 
tee,  which 

rnment  like 
e,  is  almost 
eal  so  With 
icd  to  shake 


ROBERT  EASTEURXS  CArTIVITY. 


283 


he  quickly  found,  where  we  were  used  well ;  but  as  wc  were 
lou>y,  we  could  not  exj)ect  IhmIs. 

The  next  morning  we  made  appliratiou  for  clothing.  Mr. 
Erving,  son-in-law  to  the  late  General  Shirley,  gave  us  relief, 
not  only  in  respect  of  apparel,  but  also  three  dollars  per  man, 
to  bear  our  charges  to  Newport.  When  I  put  on  fresh  cloihes 
1  was  seized  with  a  cold  til,  which  was  followed  by  a  high 
fever,  and  in  that  condition  obliged  to  travel  on  foot  as  far  as 
Providence,  in  our  way  to  Rhode  I^laud.  In  this  journey  I 
was  exceedingly  distressed.  Our  comforts  in  this  life  are  often 
embittered  with  miseries,  which  are  doubtless  great  mercies 
when  they  are  suitably  improved.  At  Newport  we  met  with 
Captain  Gibbs,  and  agreed  with  him  for  our  pa=sage  to  New 
York,  where  w'e  arrived,  November  21st,  and  met  with  many 
friends,  who  expressed  much  satisfaction  at  our  r 'turn,  and 
treated  us  kindly,  particularly  Mr.  Livingston  and  Mr.  Wal- 
dron. 

November  the  26th,  1757,  I  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  to  the 
great  joy  of  all  my  friends,  and  particularly  of  my  poor  afflicted 
wife  and  family,  who  thought  they  should  never  see  me  again, 
till  we  met  beyond  the  grave.  Being  returned,  sick  and  weak 
in  body,  and  empty-handed,  not  having  any  thing  for  my  fam- 
ily's and  my  own  support,  several  hufuane  and  generous  per- 
sons, of  different  denominations,  in  this  ci;.y,  without  any  appli- 
cation of  mine,  have  freely  given  seasonable  relief.  For 
which  may  God  grant  them  blessings  in  this  world,  and  in  the 
world  to  come  everlasting  life,  for  Christ's  sake ! 

But  to  hasten  to  the  conclusion,  suffer  me  with  humility 
and  sorrow  to  observe  that  our  enemies  seem  to  make  a  better 
use  of  a  bad  religion  than  we  do  of  a  good  one.  They  rise 
up  long  before  day  in  winter  and  go  through  the  snov  in 
the  coldest  seasons  to  perform  their  devotions  in  the  churciies. 
When  these  are  over  they  return,  to  be  ready  for  their  work 
as  soon  as  daylight  appears.  The  Indians  are  as  zealous  in 
religion  as  the  French.  They  oblige  their  children  to  pray 
morning  and  evening,  particularly  at  Canasadauga. 

Our  case  appears  to  me  indeed  gloomy,  notwithstanding  our 
enemies  are  inconsiderable  in  numbers,  compared  with  us  ;  yet 
they  are  united  as  one  man,  while  we  may  justly  be  compared 
to  a  house  divided  against  itself,  and  therefore  cannot  stand 
long  in  our  present  situation.  May  Almighty  God  graciously 
incline  us  to  look  to  him  for  deliverance,  to  repent  of  our  sins, 
reform  our  lives,  and  unite  in  the  vigorous  and  manly  use  of 
all  proper  means  to  this  end.     Amen. 


4 


\i 


4 


284 


NARRATIVE 

OF  THE  DESTRUCTION  OF'  THE  SETTLEMENT  OP  GREEN- 
BRIER, VIRGINIA,  TOGETHER  WITH  THE  CAPTURE  AND 
SURPRISING  CONDUCT  OF  MRS.  CLENDENIN,  WHO  WAS 
AMONG  THOSE  WHO  ESCAPED  THE  TOMAHAWK  OF  THE 
INDIANS  AT  THAT  MASSACRE. 


[Whether  the  following  narrative  was  ever  in  print,  except  as  it  stands 
in  Mr.  Martin's  Gazetteer  of  Virj^inin,  I  have  never  learned.  It  would  seem 
from  the  following;  note  accompanying  it  in  that  work,  "that  it  was 
extracted  from  memoirs  of  Indian  wars  on  the  western  frontiers  of  Vir- 
ginia, communicated  to  the  Philosophical  Society  of  Virginia,  by  Charles 
A.  Stuart,  Esq.,  of  Augusta  Co.-' — Ed.] 


After  peace  was  confirmed  between  England  and  France  in 
the  year  1761,  the  Indians  commenced  hostilities  in  1763,* 
when  all  the  inhabitants  in  Grcenbvier  were  totally  cut  off  by 
a  party  of  Indians,  headed  by  the  chief  warrior  Cornstalk. t 
The  principal  settlements  were  on  Muddy  Creek.  These 
Indians,  in  number  about  sixty,  introduced  themselves  into  the 
people's  houses  under  the  mask  of  friendship,  where  every 
civility  was  offered  them  by  the   people,  providing  them  with 

*  Hostilities  had  not  ceased  between  the  whites  and  the  Indians,  as  will 
be  seen  by  a  reference  to  the  Chronicles  of  the  Indians  for  this  and  the 
preceding  years. — Ed. 

f  The  life  and  barbarous  death  of  this  great  chief  are  given  at  length 
in  the  Book  of  the  Indians,  v.  42,  44. — Ed. 


I 


MRS.  CLENDENINS  CAPTIVITY. 


285 


i'.-i  I 


^  GREEN - 
TIRE  AND 
VHO  WAS 
:    OF   THE 


as  it  stands 
would  .seem 
th;it  it  was 
iers  of  Vir- 
by  Charles 


France  in 
in  1763  * 
cnt  off  by 
iornstalk.t 
.  These 
s  into  the 
ere  every 
hern  with 

ans,  as  will 
;his  and  the 

n  at  length 


victuals  and  other  iiccoinmodations  for  thtMr  (Mitertaunnent, 
when,  on  a  siuhlen,  they  fall  upon  and  k"ill  tlic  men,  and  make 
prisoners  of  the  women  and  children.  From  thence  they 
passed  over  into  thc>  Levels,  where  some  families  were  collected 
at  the  Innisc  of  Archihald  Clendenin,  where  the  Honorable 
Balard  Smith  now  lives.  There  were  between  fifty  and  one 
hundred  persons,  n)en,  women  and  children.  There  the 
Indians  were  eiut'rtained,  as  at  Muddy  Creek,  in  the  most  hos- 
j)itabl('  manner.  I\Ir.  Clendenin  had  just  arrived  from  a  hunt, 
with  three  I'ai  elks,  upon  which  they  were  feasted  in  a  boun- 
tiful miwuier. 

In  the  mean  time  an  old  woman,  with  a  sore  leijf,  was  show- 
ing her  distress  to  an  Indian,  and  in(|uiring  if  he  could  admin- 
ister to  her  any  relief.  He  said  he  thought  he  could,  and 
drawing  his  tomahawk,  instantly  lulled  her,  and  all  the  men, 
almost,  that  were  in  the  house.  One,  named  Conrad  Yolkoin, 
oidy  escaped.  He,  being  at  some  distance  from  the  house,  was 
alarmed  by  the  cries  and  shrieks  of  the  women  and  children, 
fled  with  all  his  mit^'hl  to  Jackson's  river,  and  alarmed  the  peo- 
ple there.  They  however  were  loath  to  believe  his  tale  until 
they  saw  the  Indians  ajiproaching.  All  fled  before  them  ;  and 
they  pursued  on  to  Carr's  Creek,  in  Rockbridge  county,  where 
many  families  were  killed  and  taken  by  them.  At  Clendenin's 
a  scene  of  much  cruelty  was  performed,  not  only  by  the  Indians, 
but  some  such  as  the  terrors  of  their  approach  influenced  thereto. 
In  this  I  refer  to  an  act  committed  by  a  negro  woman,  who  in 
escaping  from  the  Indians  killed  her  own  child,  whose  cries 
she  had  reason  to  fear  would  lead  to  her  capture  ! 

Mrs.  Clenden.  did  not  fail  to  abuse  the  Indians  with  her 
tongi.e,  with  the  most  reproachful  epithets  she  could  coimnand, 
although  the  tomahawk  was  brandishing  at  the  same  moment 
overhead  ;  but  instead  of  bringing  it  down  upon  her,  the  less 
eflectual  means  of  silencing  her  clamors  was  resorted  to, 
namely,  lashing  her  in  the  face  and  eyes  with  the  bleeding 
scalp  of  her  dead  husband  ! 

The  provisioi's  were  all  taken  over  to  Muddy  Creek,  and  a 
party  of  Indians  retained  them  there  till  the  return  of  the  oth- 
ers from  Carr's  Creek,  when  the  whole  were  inarched  off  to- 
gether. On  the  day  they  started  from  the  foot  of  Kenney's 
Knob,  going  over  the  mountain,  ]\Irs.  Clendenin  gave  her 
infant  child  to  another  female  prisoner,  to  carry,  to  relieve 
her  for  a  few  paces,  and  in  a  few  moments  after,  a  favorable 
opportunity  offering  for  escape,  she  improved  it  with  such 
alacrity  into  a  dense  thicket  which  they  were  at  the  time  pass- 
ing, that  not  an  Indian  saw  her  or  could  tell  which  way  she 
went.     The  opportunity  was  rendered   more   favorable  by  the 


.1 


286 


ALEXANDER  HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


manner    in   whicli   the   Indian^s   at  the    time    were  niarcliinff 


I 


They  had   phioed   the   prisoners    in   the  centic,  and    dividin_ 
themselves  into  two  companies,  one  marched  Ix'I'ore   them  and 
th 
th 


e  oliier  loliowed  in  their  rear,  having'  eacii  flank  open,  and 
is  gave  her  the  desired  chance  of  escape, 


It  was  not  nntil  all  had  left  the  place  that  the  cries  of  Mrs. 
Clendeiiin's  child  caused  the  Jndijuis  to  inquire  for  its  mother. 
When  they  found  she  jiad  made  her  escape,  a  monster  Indian 
ol^served  "  he  would  l^riiiL;-  the  cow  to  her  calf,"  and  takiuL*-  the 
infant  hy  the  heels,  dashed  out  its  hrains  ni,'-ainst  a  tree  !  and 
as  thou<»'h  this  was  not  enou^-h,  the  miscreant  throwing  it  down 
into  the  van,  the  whole  company  inarch^nl  over  it,  the  hoofs  of 
tlie  horses  tearing-  out  its  howels,  and  the  feet  of  the  Indians 
tracked  the  ground  as  they  went  with  its  hlood  I 

Mrs.  Clendenin  returned  that  night  to  her  own  house,  a  dis- 
tance of  more  than  ten  miles.  Here  she  found  her  hushand's 
dead  hody,  which  she  covered  with  rails.  Slu;  founu  him  as 
he  had  been  killed,  with  one  (»f  his  children  in  his  arms.  He 
was  shot  down  as  he  was  making  his  escape  over  a  fence. 
She  now  returned  to  her  friends  ;  and  thus  ends  the  remark- 
able, though  short  captivity  of  a  woman,  more  to  be  admired 
for  her  courag-e  than  some  other  qualities  not  less  desirable  in 
the  female  character. 


NARRATIVE 


li 


■■   i 

(      i 

J' 


\i 


i  ii 


OF  TvIE  CAPTIVITY  OF  ALEXANDER  HENRY,  ESQ.,  WHO,  IN 
THE  TDIE  OF  PONTIAK'S  WAR,  FELL  INTO  THE  HANDS  OF 
THE  HURON  JNDIANS.  DETAILING  A  FAITHFUL  ACCOUNT 
OF  THE  CAPTURE  OF  THE  GARRISON  OF  MICHILIMACKI- 
NAC,  AND  THE  MASSACRE  OF  ABOUT  NINETY  PEOPLE.— 
WRITTEN  BY  HIMSELF. 

[Mr.  Henry  wns  an  Indian  trader  in  Amcrirn.  for  a1)out  si.>cleen  years. 
He  came  io  Canncla  with  the  army  of  Genei'al  Amhtrstj  and  pre- 
vious to  his  beinfj;  made  prisoner  hy  tlie  Indians  experienced  a  variety  of 
fortime.  His  narrative,  as  will  l)e  seen,  is  uritten  with  preat  cnndor  as 
well  as  abil'lv.  and  to  the  discriminatinf;  reader  needs  no  oieoiniimi. 
Ho  was  liviiii,'  in  IMotitreal  in  Jso'.l.  as  appears  IVom  the  date  of  his  pre- 
face to  his  Travels,  which  he  imhlished  in  New  York  that  year,  w  ith  a  dedi- 
cation to  Sir  Joseph  Banks. — Ed] 

When  I  reached  Michil'mackinac  I  found  several  other 
traders,  who  had  arrived  before  me,  froiTi  different  parts  of  the 
country,  and  who,  in  general,  declared  the  dispositions  of  the 
i>  dinns  to  be  hostile  to  the  English,  and  even   apprehended 


j^^'--' 


ALEXANDER  HENRYS  CAPTIVITV. 


2S7 


inarching 
1    dividing 
tliein  and 


open, 


and 


cs  of  Mrs. 
its  mother, 
•iter  Indian 
talvinn-  I  lie 
tree  I  and 
ng  it  down 
10  lioofs  of 
10   Indians 

luse,  a  dis- 
hushand's 
ui  him  as 
irms.  He 
r  a  fence, 
le  remark- 
e  admired 
esirable  in 


WHO,  IN 

BANDS  OF 

ACCOUNT 

ILIMACKI- 

PEOPLE.- 


ctoen  j'ears. 
>t;  and  pre- 
a  variety  of 
I  (.'inidor  as 

eiiroinium. 

ol'  his  pre- 
uilh  a  dedi- 


eral  other 
irts  of  the 
ons  of  the 
prehended 


some  attack.  M,  Laurent  Dncharme  distincilv  informed 
ATajor  J'itherington  that  a  plan  was  ahsolutdy  conceived 
for  (h^stroying  iiim,  his  garrison  and  all  the  lOrii;!'  h  in  the 
upper  country  ;  hut  the  commanchtnt  hcjieving  this  and  oilior 
reports  to  be  without  foinuhition,  proceeding  oidy  from  idle  or 
ill-disposed  pf'i'sons,  and  of  a  tendency  to  do  mischief,  express- 
ed mticli  displeasure  at'"ain^t  M.  Ducharnie.  and  threatened  to 
send  the  next  person  who  should  bring  a  story  of  the  same 
kind,  a  prisoner,  to  Detroit, 

The  garrison,  at  tliis  time,  consisted  of  ninety  privates,  two 
subalterns  and  the  commandant  ;  and  the  English  merchants 
at  the  fort  were  four  in  number.  Thus  strong,  few  entertained 
anxiety  concerning  the  Indians,  who  had  no  weapons  but  small 
arms. 

Meanwhile,  the  Indians,  from  every  quarter,  were  daily 
assembling,  in  unusual  numbers,  but  with  every  appearance  of 
friendship,  fre(juenting  the  fort,  and  disposing  of  their  peltries, 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  dissipate  almost  every  one's  fears.  For 
myself,  on  one  occasion,  I  took  the  liberty  of  observing  to 
Major  Etherington  that,  in  my  judgment,  no  confidence  ought 
to  be  placed  in  ih  m,  and  that  I  was  informed  no  less  than  four 
liundrcd  lay  around  the  fort. 

In  return  the  major  oidy  rallied  inc  on  my  timidity  ;  and  it 
is  to  be  confessed  that  if  this  ollicer  neglected  admoiution,  on 
his  part,  so  did  I  on  mine.  Shortly  after  my  first  arrival  at 
Michiliinackinac,  in  the  preceding  year,  a  Chippeway,  named 
Wawatam,  began  to  come  often  to  my  house,  betraying  in  his 
demeanor  strong  marks  of  personal  regard.  After  this  had 
continued  some  time,  he  came  on  a  certain  day,  bringing  with 
him  his  whole  family,  and  at  the  same  time  a  large  present, 
consisting  of  skins,  sugar  and  dried  tneat.  Haviny  laid  these 
in  a  heap,  ho  commenced  a  speech,  in  which  he  informed  me 
that  some  years  before  he  had  observed  a  fast,  devotine"  him- 
self, accordiiig  to  the  custom  of  his  nation,  to  solitude,  and  to 
the  mortification  of  his  body,  in  the  hope  to  obtain,  from  the 
Great  Spirit,  protection  through  all  his  dnys ;  that  on  this 
occasion  he  had  dreamed  of  adoj)'ing  an  Englishman  as  his 
son,  brother  and  friend;  that  from  the  moment  in  which  he 
first  beheld  me  he  had  recognised  me  as  the  person  whom  the 
Great  Spirit  had  been  pleased  to  point  out  to  him  for  a  f)rother; 
that  he  hoped  that  I  would  not  refuse  his  present;  and  that  he 
should  forever  regard  me  as  one  of  his  family. 

I  could  do  no  otherwise  than  accept  the  present,  and  declare 
my  willingness  to  have  so  good  a  man  as  this  ap])earetl  to  be  for 
my  friend  and  brother.  I  offered  a  present  in  return  for  (hat 
which  I  had  received,  which   Wawatam  accepted,  and  then, 


f'l 


\ 


288 


ALEXANDER  TIRNRY  S  CAPTIVITY. 


thpnkinjx  nio  for   llie   favor  which  lie   y.ud  that  I  had  rnulcred 
hiiii,  he  U'f'l  nic,  iuul  soon  after  sot  out  on  his  winter's  hunt. 

Twelve  months  hiid  now  elapsed  >ince  the  occnrrt'iire  ol  this 
incident,  and  1  had  ahnost  forgotten  the  jxTson  of  my  I'rolhcr, 
when,  on  the  second  day  <>f  Jiiiu',  Wawatam  came  a^ain  to 
my  house,  iti  a  temj)er  of  mind  visibly  melancholy  and 
thoucrhtfni.  He  told  me  that  he  Iuul  just  returned  Irom  his 
wi/itf'ri//,i(  ifroirnd,  and  I  asked  alter  his  healili  ;  hut  witlumt 
answering  my  (jnestion,  he  went  on  to  say,  that  he  was  sorry 
to  find  me  returned  from  tin;  Sault ;  that  he  intended  to  trn  to 
that  phice  himself,  immediately  after  his  arrival  at  Michili- 
mackinac  ;  and  that  he  wished  me  to  i^^o  there  alony^  witii  him 
and  his  family  the  next  niornin<:(.  To  all  this  he  joined  ar.i 
in(juiry,  whether  or  not  the  connnandant  had  heard  had  news, 
addiriL''  that  during  the  winter  he  had  himself  been  frecjuemly 
disturbed  with  the  noise  of  evil  birds  ;  and  further  sutrircsting 
that  there  were  numerous  Indians  near  the  fort,  many  of  whom 
had  never  shown  themselves  within  it.  Wawatam  was  about 
forty-five  years  of  age,  of  an  excellent  character  among  his 
nation,  and  a  chief. 

Referring  much  of  what  I  heard  to  the  peculiarities  of  the 
Indian  character,  I  did  not  pay  all  the  attention  which  they 
will  be  found  to  have  deserved  to  the  entreaties  and  remarks  of 
my  visitor.  1  answered  that  I  could  not  think  of  going  to  the 
Sault  so  soon  as  the  next  morning,  but  would  follow  him 
there  after  the  arrival  of  my  clerks.  Finding  himself  uiuible 
to  prevail  with  me,  he  withdre^\  for  that  day  ;  but  early  the 
next  morning  he  came  again,  bringing  with  him  his  wife, 
and  a  present  of  dried  meat.  At  this  interview,  after  stating 
that  he  had  several  packs  of  beaver,  for  which  he  intended  to 
deal  with  me,  he  expressed  a  second  time  his  apprehensions, 
from  the  numerous  Indians  who  were  round  the  fori,  and  ear- 
nestly pressed  me  to  consent  »o  an  immedia'.e  departure  for  the 
Sault.  As  a  reason  for  this  partiv'ular  request,  he  assured  me 
that  all  the  Indians  proposed  to  come  in  a  body,  that  day,  to 
the  fort,  to  demand  lio^uor  of  the  commandant,  and  tliat  he 
wished  me  to  be  gone  before  they  should  grow  intoxicated. 

I  had  made,  at  the  period  to  which  I  am  now  referring,  so 
much  progress  in  the  language  in  which  Wawatam  addressed 
me,  as  to  be  able  to  hold  an  ordinary  conversation  in  it  ;  but 
the  Indian  manner  of  sp-ech  is  so  extravagantly  figurative  that  it 
is  only  for  a  perfect  master  to  follow  and  comprehend  it  entirely. 
Had  I  been  further  advanced  in  this  respect,  I  think  that  I 
should  have  gathered  so  much  information,  from  this  my 
friendly  monitor,  as  would  have  nut  me  into  possession  of  the 
design  of  the  enem;y,  and  enabled  me  to  sav^:  as  well  others  as 


ALEXANDER  HENRY'S   CAPTIVITV. 


i?99 


lad  rrndcred 
it-r's  liitiit. 
rcAK'v  of  this 

my  '•ruthrr^ 
iiic  a<!;iiiii  to 
iiiclutly  juul 
0(1    frotn    liis 

liut  witlioul 
he  was  sorry 
uled  to  i^o  to 
I  at  iMichili- 
mrr  with  him 
ho  joined  an 
rd  had  news, 
LU  frequently 
r  sn<riresting 
any  oi  whom 
ini  was  about 
r   amonfT   his 

arities  of  the 
1  which  they 
id  remarks  of 

going  to  the 
1  folk)vv  him 
rruclf  unable 
l/Ut  early  the 
im  iiis  wife, 
after  stating 
e  intended  to 
:iprehensions, 
fori,  and  ear- 
arture  for  the 
e  assured  me 
,  that  day,  to 

and    tliat   he 
toxicated. 

referring,  so 
im  addressed 
in  in  it  ;  but 
urr.tive  that  it 
nd  it  entirely. 

think  that  I 
om  this  my 
ession  of  the 
veil  others  as 


myself;  as  it  was.  it  unfortunately  happened  tlnil  I  turned 
a  deaf  ear  to  ''very  ihin:/.  Iravni;--  W'awatain  and  lii<  witc, 
after  Ioul''  and  paticnl,  bin  inelli'itu'il  dforis,  to  ilfpari  alone, 
with  dejected  count'.'nances,  and  not  before  tliry  bad  rai'b  b't 
fall  some  (ear>. 

In  ibe  cours(,'  ut'  the  same  day.  I  obscrveil  ihiU  the  Indians 
came  in  great  numbers  into  the  fort,  [iiircbasin!.'  loniahawK--', 
(small  axes  of  one  pound  weight.)  and  IriMjucnily  dcsirinLr  lo 
see  silver  arm-bands,  and  other  v.ibiable  ornaments,  of  which 
I  had  a  larire  ([uaniiiy  for  sale.  The  ornaments,  howover, 
they  in  no  instance  iiurchascd,  b\it,  after  turning'  ibem  over, 
left  them,  saying  that  they  would  call  again  the  next  day.  Their 
motive,  as  it  afterward  appeared,  was  no  other  than  the  very 
artful  one  of  discovering,  by  r(^'piesti))n-  to  see  them,  the  par- 
ticular places  of  their  deposit,  so  t'  t.  they  might  lay  tlieir 
hands  on  them  in  the  mouicnt  of  pib  e  with  the  greater  cer- 
tainty and  dispatch. 

At  night,  I  turned  in  my  mind  the  visits  of  Wawatam  ;  but, 
though  they  were  calculated  to  excite  uneasiness,  nothing  in- 
duced me  to  believe  that  serious  mischief  was  at  hand.  The 
next  day,  being  the  fourth  of  June,  was  the  king's  birth-day. 

The  morning  was  sultry.  A  Chip]ieway  came  lo  tell  me 
that  his  nation  was  goini::  lo  play  at  ha^irat'nrny,  with  the 
Sacs  or  Saakies,  another  Indian  nation,  for  a  high  wager.  He 
invited  me  to  witness  the  sport,  aciding  that  the  conmtandant 
was  to  be  there,  and  would  bet  on  the  side  of  the  Chippeways. 
\\\  consequence  of  ihi,-;  information,  1  went  to  th(>  commandunt, 
and  expo.->tulated  with  Mm  a  liiile,  representing  that  flit-  Indians 
might  possibly  have  soine  sinister  end  in  vicv  ;  but  the  com- 
mandant only  smiled  at  my  suspicions. 

71'/ gg^'/ ///•'///,  called  by  the  Canadians  le  jcu  de  la  crosse,  is 
played  with  a  bat  and  l)all.  The  bat  is  about  four  feet  in 
length,  curved,  and  terminating-  in  a  sort  of  racket.  Tw^o  posts 
are  planted  in  the  ground,  at  a  considerable  distanro  from  each 
ether,  as  a  ntile  or  more.  Each  parly  has  its  post,  and  the 
game  consists  in  throwing  the  ball  up  to  the  post  of  tho  adver- 
sary. The  ball  at  the  begiiming  is  placed  in  tlu>  middle  of 
the  course,  and  each  party  endeavors  as  well  to  throw  the  ball 
out  of  the  direction  of  its  own  post,  as  itito  that  of  the  adver- 
sary's. 

I  did  not  go  mvself  to  see  the  match  which  was  now  to  be 
played  without  the  fort,  because,  there  being  a  canoe  prepared  to 
depart,  on  the  following  day,  for  Montreal,  I  employed  myself 
in  writing  letters  to  my  friends  ;  and  even  when  a  fellow-tra- 
der, Mr.  T"acy,  happened  to  call  upon  me,  saying  that  another 
canoe  had  just  arrived  from  Detroit,  and  proposing  that  I 
"2^ 


I 


200 


ALFA'ANDKR    HENRYS  CAFriVITV. 


;  I 


slioiiM  ;.',<>  wiili  liiiii  to  Uic  hcai'li,  tu  iiKHiirc  tin'  m-w.^,  it  so 
hiippt'iK'd  ilijii  I  >till  remuiiicd,  tit  Iml^h  my  lelttT.s  ;  proiiiisiiij^ 
to  lollow  Mr.  Tiiicy  ii'  f'x'  course  oC  a  few  iniiiiitcs.  Mr. 
'I'riicy  had  not  iroiic  more  tliiiii  twenty  |tacf's  from  tln>  door, 
whnii  I  heard  an  Indian  war-cry,  and  a  noir^e  ol  gfjicral  con- 
fuf^ion. 

(loinq-  instantly  to  my  window,  I  saw  a  crowd  of  Indians, 
within  th(j  fort,  furiously  ciitiini,''  (h)wn  and  scalpinLj'  ovory 
Enulisiiman  they  found.  In  particular,  I  witiu'sscd  llio  fate  of 
Licntonanl  Jeinette. 

I  had  in  the  room  in  which  I  was  a  fowlinuf-piere,  loaded 
with  swan-siiot.  This  I  immedial(dy  seiz<'d,  and  held  it  for  a 
few  inimites,  waitinir  to  hear  the  drum  beat  to  arms.  In  this 
dreadful  interval  1  saw  several  of  my  countrymen  fall,  and 
more  than  one  strufri,ding  between  the  Knees  of  an  Indian,  who, 
holdinij:  him  in  this  manner,  scalped  him  while  yei  living. 

At  length,  disappointed  in  the  hope  of  seeing  n^sistance  made 
to  the  enenjy,  and  sensible  of  course  that  no  eilbrl  of  my  own 
unassisted  arm  could  avail  against  four  hundred  Imlians,  I 
thought  only  of  seeking  shelter.  Amid  the  slaugliter  Avhich 
was  raging,  I  observed  many  of  the  Canadian  inhai)itanls  of 
the  fort  calmly  looking  on,  neither  opposing  the  Indians  nor 
suffering  injury;  and  from  this  circmnstancc  I  conceived  a 
hope  of  linding  security  in  their  houses. 

Between  the  yard-door  of  my  own  house  and  that  of  M. 
Langlade,  my  next  neighbor,  there  was  only  a  low  fence,  over 
which  I  easily  clindx'd.  At  my  entrance  I  Ibuiul  the  whole 
family  at  the  windows,  gazing  at  the  scene  of  blood  before 
them.  I  addressed  myself  immediately  to  M.  Langlade,  beg- 
ging that  he  would  put  me  into  some  place  of  safety,  until  the 
heat  of  the  affair  should  be  over;  an  act  of  charity  by  which 
he  might  perhaps  preserve  me  from  the  general  massacre ;  but 
while  I  uttered  my  petition,  M.  Langlade,  who  had  looked  for 
a  moment  ot  me,  turned  again  to  the  window,  shrugging  his 
shoulders,  and  intimating  that  he  could  do  nothing  for  me  : — 
"  Que  voiidi'iez'vous  rpie  j'cnfcraisV 

This  was  a  moment  for  despair;  but  the  next,  a  Pani  wo- 
man,=^  a  slave  of  M.  Langlade's,  beckoned  to  me  to  follow  her. 
She  brought  me  to  a  door,  which  she  opened,  desiring  me  to 
enter,  and  telling  me  that  it  led  to  the  garret,  where  I  must  go 
and  conceal  myself.  I  joyfully  obeyed  her  directions;  and 
she,  having  followed  me  up  to  the  garret-door,  locked  it  after 
me,  and  wnth  great  presence  of  mind  took  away  the  key. 

This  shelter  obtained,  if  shelter  I  could  hope  to  find  it,  I  was 

*  The  Panics  are  an  Indian  nation  of  the  south. 


'  news,  It  so 
>  ;  proiiiisiiis^ 
liiititfs,  Mr. 
Din  ihi,'   (Idor, 

il  of  Indians, 
•nlpiny  ovcry 
c'd  the  lUte  of 

•picre,  loaded 
1  held  il  for  ix 
rnis,  [\i  this 
nen   full,   and 

Indian,  who, 
ci  living-, 
sistance  made 
•rt  of  my  own 
ed  Indians,  I 
uolitcr  Avhich 
iiihal)itants  of 
!  Indians  nor 

conceived  a 

id  that  of  M. 
w  fence,  over 
nd  the  whole 
blood  before 
anii-lade,  beg- 
I'ety,  until  the 
rity  by  which 
lassacre ;  but 
ad  looked  for 
hrncfo-incf  liis 
ig  for  me  : — 

t,  a  Pani  wo- 
to  follow  her. 
esiring-  me  to 
^re  I  must  go 
'ections ;  and 
ocked  it  after 
he  key. 
find  it,  I  was 

th. 


ALEXANDKU    IIKNRY'.S  CAPTIVITY. 


'2d\ 


naturally  an\i0iis  to  know  whai  mi<j^lu  ^lill  be  passing  without. 
Tiiroiigh  an  apfrtiiro,  which  allordfMl  mh-  a  \  i^w  of  the  ai-ea  of 
the  fort,  1  beheld,  in  >hapes  the  foiilt-st  and  most  terrible,  the 
ferocious  triumphs  (tf  barbarian  coiKpicror^.  'V\\v  dead  were 
scalp''d  and  manirletl  ;  the  dyinu'  were  wrilhiuL!  !iiid  >lin('kiiig 
under  the  urisa'iated  knilc  and  tomahawk;  ;ind  from  the  boilii-s 
of  SOUK',  ripped  (»prn,  ihi'ir  !)Utchers  were  drinkinLr  the  blood, 
scoopeil  up  in  tlic  hollow  of  joined  hands,  and  ([u.illed  amid 
shouts  of  rage  and  vidory.  I  was  shaken  not  only  with  Innror. 
but  with  fear.  Tlu;  sutli'rini^s  whirji  I  wi'nessed,  I  seemed  oii 
the  point  of  experiencing.  No  louir  time  elapsed  before,  every 
one  being  destroyed  wlut  could  be  found,  there  was  a  general 
I'ry  of  "All  is  linishedl"  At  the  same  instant  1  heard  some 
of  tliL'  Indians  enter  the  house  in  wlii<'h  1  was. 

The  garret  was  se[)arated  from  the  room  below  only  by  a 
layer  of  single  boards,  at  onr-e  the  floorinij:  of  the  one  and  ihe 
ceiling  of  the  other.  I  could  therefore  bear  every  thmi,'-  that 
passed  ;  and  the  Indians  no  sooner  came  in  than  they  iiKpiired 
whether  or  not  any  I'^nirlisliman  were  in  the  house.  M.  Lane- 
lade  rt'plied  that  "he  could  not  say;  lie  did  not  know  of  any;" 
answers  in  which  he  dii.  not  exceed  the  truth  ;  for  the  Pani 
woman  had  not  only  hidden  me  by  stealth,  but  kept  my  secret 
and  her  own.  ^I.  Langlade  was  therefore,  as  I  presume,  as 
far  from  a  wish  to  destroy  me  as  he  was  careless  about  saving 
nie,  when  he  added  to  these  answers,  that  "  they  might  exa- 
mine f(jr  themselves,  and  would  soon  bn  satisfied  as  lo  the 
object  of  their  question."  Saying  this,  he  brought  them  to  the 
garret-door. 

The  state  of  my  mind  will  be  imagined.  Arrived  at  the 
door,  some  delay  was  occasioned  by  t!ie  absence  of  the  key, 
and  a  few  moments  were  thus  allowed  me  in  which  to  look 
around  for  a  hiding-pla<:e.  In  one  corner  of  the  garret  was  a 
heap  of  those  vessels  of  birch-bark  used  in  maple-sugar  making, 
as  I  have  recently  described. 

The  door  was  unlocked  and  openinir,  and  the  Indians  ascend- 
ing the  stairs,  before  I  had  completely  crept  into  a  small  onen- 
ing  which  presented  itself  at  one  end  of  the  heap.  An  instant 
after,  four  Indians  entered  the  room,  all  armed  with  tomahawks, 
and  all  besmeared  with  blood  upon  every  part  of  their  bodies. 
The  die  appeared  to  be  cast.  I  could  scarcely  breathe  ;  but 
I  thought  that  the  throbbing  of  my  heart  occasioned  a  n  )ise 
loud  enough  to  betray  me.  The  Indians  walked  in  every 
direction  about  the  cifarret,  and  one  of  them  approached  me  so 
closely  that  at  a  particular  moment,  had  he  put  forth  his  hand, 
he  must  have  touched  me.  Still  I  remained  undiscovered;  a 
circumstance  to  which  the  dark  color  of  my  clothes,  and  the 


il 


292 


ALEXANDER   HENRY'S   CAPTIVITY. 


*•  ri 
iijj' 


I 


if     ! 


want  of  li^Wit  ill  n  room  whidi  \\'m\  no  window,  nml  in  the 
corner  in  wliich  I  was,  nui.st  have  contrihulcil.  In  a  word,  alter 
laKint,''  sevpral  turns  in  tin-  room,  dnrinir  which  thfy  told  M. 
Lani^lad''  how  numy  tlicy  l»ad  Uilli'd,  and  how  many  scalps 
tlicy  h:id  taken,  they  retnrned  down  .-lairs,  and  1,  with  sensii- 
lions  not  to  he  expre.Nscd,  iicard  the  door,  wiiich  was  ihc  harrier 
hctween  me  and  my  fate,  loidtcd  for  the  i^econd  time. 

There  wa:i  u  feiithor-hed  on  the  floor  ;  and  on  this,  exhausted 
as  I  was  hy  the  ai^Mtation  of  my  mind,  I  threw  myself  down 
and  fell  aslee'p.  In  this  state  1  remained  till  the  dii>lv  of  the 
c-vening,  wlten  I  was  awakened  hy  a  second  opi/nini,''  of  the 
door.  The  person  that  now  entered  was  .M.  Lantdade's  wife, 
who  was  nni'di  Mirprised  ai  lindimr  nie,  hut  advised  me  not  to 
he  uneasy,  ohservinir  that  the  Indians  had  K'illed  most  of  the 
Rn^'li-h,  hut  that  she  hopL'd  1  niiehl  niy^edf  escape.  A  shower 
of  rain  liavini:;  heeam  to  .'all,  she  had  come  to  stop  a  hole  in  the 
r(»of.  Oii  her  uoini.':  away.  1  hegged  her  to  send  me  a  little 
water  to  drinlf ;   which  she  did. 

As  night  was  now  advancimi",  I  continued  to  lie  on  the  hed, 
ruminating  on  my  condition,  hut  unahle  to  discover  a  resource 
from  whicli  I  could  hope  for  life.  A  fliglil  to  Detroit  had  no 
proh;ihlo  chance  of  success.  Tlie  distance  from  j\ri(diilinuicki- 
nac  was  four  hundred  miles  ;  1  was  without  provisions  ;  and 
the  whole  length  of  tin;  road  lay  through  Indian  countries, 
countries  of  an  enemy  in  arms,  where  the  lirst  man  whom  I 
.should  meet  would  kill  niu.  To  stay  where  I  was  thr(>atened 
nearly  the  same  issue.  As  before,  fatigue  of  mind,  and  not 
tratujuillity,  suspended  my  cares,  and  procured  me  furtlier 
sleep. 

The  gaiTie  of  baggatiway,  as  from  the  description  above  Avill 
have  been  perceived,  is  necessarily  attended  witli  much  vio- 
lence and  noise.  In  the  ardor  of  contest,  the  ball,  as  has  been 
suggested,  if  it  cannot  be  thrown  to  the  goal  desired,  is  struck 
in  any  direction  by  which  it  can  be  diverted  from  that  designed 
by  the  adversary'.  At  sntli  a  moment,  therefore,  nothing  could 
be  less  liable  to  excite  premature  alarm,  than  that  the  ball 
should  be  tossed  over  the  pickets  of  the  fort,  nor  that,  having 
fallen  there,  it  should  be  followed  on  the  instant  by  all  engaged 
in  the  game,  as  well  the  one  party  as  the  other,  all  eager,  all 
struggling,  all  shouting,  all  in  the  unrestrained  pursuit  of  a 
rude  athletic  exercise.  Nothing  could  be  less  litted  to  excite 
premature  alarm;  nothing,  therefore,  could  be  more  happily 
devised,  under  the  circumstances,  than  a  stratagem  like  this ; 
and  this  was,  in  fact,  the  stratagem  which  the  Indians  had  em- 
ployed, by  which  they  had  obtained  possession  of  the  fort,  and 
by  which  they  had  been  enabled  to  slaughter  and  subdue  its 


ALEXANDER   IIEXIIYS  CAPTIVITV. 


y<)3 


,  nntl  ill  tho 
M  word,  after 
ili.'y  \M  M. 
tiiaiiy  i^i'alps 
,  with  scn.sa- 
is  tile  barrier 

MO. 

is,  exhausted 
iiV"^''!!*  down 

dii>K-  of  th«.' 
I'liiiii,'-  of  ilie 
^"•lade's  wife, 
L'd  me  not  to 

most  of  the 

A  shower 

I  hole  in  the 

tl  me  a  little 

;  on  the  hed, 
r  a  resource 
troit  had  no 
ichiliniacki- 
isions  ;  and 
n  countries, 
nan  Avhom  I 
3  threatened 
nd,  and  not 
me   further 

n  above  will 

I  much  vio- 
as  has  been 
Dd,  is  struck 
lat  designed 
Jthino-  could 
hat  the  ball 
that,  having 
all  engaged 

II  eager,  all 
)ursuit  of  a 
ed  to  excite 
:)re  happily 
1  like  this; 
ns  had  em- 
he  fort,  and 

subdue  its 


)[^arrisnn,  and  such  of  its  other  inluildtants  as  they  pleased.  To 
be  still  more  certain  of  sii(!cess,  liny  had  prevailed  upon  as 
many  us  they  could,  by  a  pretext  the  loast  liable  to  suspici(»n, 
to  come  voluntarily  witlnmt  ihc  pickets  ;  and  particularly  the 
commandant  and  trarrison  iliemsclver;. 

The  respite  whiidi  sleep  alit)riled  m(>,  durinir  the  niuht,  was 
put  an  end  to  by  the  return  of  morning.  I  was  aiiain  on  the 
rack  of  apprehension.  At  sunrise,  i  heard  the  family  stirring; 
and  i)reseiilly  after  Indian  voices,  informing'  M.  Laiii;liide  that 
tlu'y  had  not  found  my  hapless  self  amom^-  the  dead,  and  that 
they  supposed  me  to  be  somewhere  conci\iled.  M.  LaiiLfladi! 
appeared,  from  what  i'ollowed,  to  be  by  this  lime  accpiainted 
with  the  place  of  my  retreat,  of  wliich,  no  doubt,  he  had  been 
inform<.'d  by  his  wife.  The  poor  woman,  as  soon  as  the  In- 
dians mentioned  me,  de<-lared  to  her  husband,  in  the  French 
tonirue,  that  ho  should  no  longer  keep  me  in  his  house,  but 
deliver  me  up  to  my  pursuers  ;  giving  as  a  reason  for  this 
measure,  that,  should  the  Indians  discover  his  instrumentality 
in  my  concealment,  they  might  revenge  it  on  her  children,  and 
that  it  was  belter  that  I  should  die  than  they.  M.  Langlade 
resisted  at  first  this  sentence  of  his  wife's,  nut  soon  suiiered 
her  to  prevail,  informing  the  Indians  that  he  had  been  told  I 
was  in  his  house,  that  I  had  come  there  without  his  knowledge, 
and  that  he  would  put  mo  into  their  hands.  This  was  no 
sooner  expressed  than  he  began  to  ascend  the  stairs,  the  In- 
dians following  upon  his  heels. 

I  now  resigned  myself  to  the  fate  with  which  I  was  menaced ; 
and  regarding  every  attempt  at  concealment  as  vain,  I  arose 
from  the  bed,  and  presented  myself  full  in  view  to  the  Indians 
who  were  entering  the  room.  They  were  all  in  a  state  of 
intoxication,  and  entirely  naked,  except  about  the  middle.  One 
of  them,  named  Wenniway,  whom  I  had  previously  knowai, 
and  who  was  upward  of  six  feet  in  height,  had  his  entire  face 
and  body  covered  with  charcoal  and  grease,  only  that  a  white 
spot,  of  two  inches  in  dianicter,  encircled  either  eye.  This 
man,  walking  up  to  me,  seized  me  with  one  hand  by  the  collar 
of  the  coat,  while  in  the  other  he  held  a  large  carving  knife, 
as  if  to  plunge  it  into  my  breast ;  his  eyes  meanwhile  were 
fixed  steadfastly  on  mine.  At  length,  after  some  seconds  of  the 
most  anxious  suspense,  he  dropped  his  arm,  saying,  "  I  won't 
kill  you  ! "  To  this  he  added,  that  he  had  been  frerjuently 
engaged  in  wars  against  the  English,  and  had  brought  away 
many  scalps  ;  that  on  a  certain  occasion  he  had  lost  a  brother, 
whose  name  was  Musinigon,  and  that  I  should  be  called  after 
him. 

A  reprieve  upon  any  terms  placed  me  among  the  living,  and 
25* 


1 1 


'41 


m 


i' 

■  il 


ll 


IH 


!  il 


294 


ALEXANDER  HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


gave  me  back  the  sustain iiii,^  voice  of  hope  ;  but  Wenniway 
orderetl  mo  down  stairs,  and  there  inforiniufi"  me  that  I  was  to 
be  taken  to  his  cabin,  where,  and  indeed  everywhere  else,  the 
Indians  were  all  mad  with  li(|Uor,  death  again  was  threatened, 
and  not  as  possible  only,  but  as  certain.  I  mentioned  my  fears 
on  thii;  subj'^ct  to  M.  Laniiflade,  bei^ging"  hini  to  repiesent  the 
danger  to  my  master.  M.  Langlade,  in  this  instance,  did  not 
withhold  his  compassion, and  Weimiway  immediately  consented 
iliat  1  should  remain  wJieve  I  was,  until  he  found  another  op- 
portunity to  take  me  away. 

Thus  far  secure,  I  re-ascended  my  gariet-stairs,  in  ortier  to 
phice  myself  ihe  furthest  possible  out  of  the  reach  of  insult 
from  drunken  Indians  ;  but  1  had  not  remained  there  more  than 
an  hour,  when  I  was  called  to  the  room  below,  in  which  was 
an  Indian,  who  said  th^^t  1  must  go  with  him  out  of  the  fort, 
Wenniway  bavin 7  sent  him  to  fetch  me.  This  man,  as  well 
as  Wenniway  himself,  I  had  seen  before.  In  the  preceding 
year,  I  had  allowed  him  to  tiilre  goods  on  credit,  for  which  he 
was  still  in  my  debt ;  and  some  short  time  previous  to  the  sur- 
prise of  the  fort  he  had  said,  upon  my  upbraiding  him  with 
want  of  honesty,  that  "  he  would  pay  me  before  long  ! "  This 
speech  now  came  fresh  into  my  memory,  and  led  me  to  suspect 
that  the  fellow  had  formed  a  design  against  my  life.  I  com- 
municated the  suspicion  to  M.  Jbanglade ;  but  he  gave  for 
answer  that  "  I  was  not  now  my  own  master,  and  must  do  as 
I  was  ordered." 

The  Indian,  on  his  part,  directed  that  before  I  left  the  house 
I  should  undress  myself,  declaring  that  my  coat  and  shirt  would 
become  him  better  than  they  did  me.  His  pleasure  in  this 
respect  being  complied  with,  no  other  alternative  was  left  me 
than  either  to  go  out  naked,  or  to  put  on  the  clothes  of  the  In- 
dian, which  he  freely  gave  me  in  exchar  '^.  His  motive  for 
thus  stripping  me  of  my  own  apparel  was  no  other,  as  f  after- 
ward learned,  than  this,  that  it  might  not  b(-  stained  with  blood 
Wi.^n  he  should  kill  me. 

I  was  now  told  to  proceed  ;  and  my  driver  followed  me  close, 
until  i  had  passed  the  gate  of  the  Ibrt,  when  I  turned  toward 
the  spot  where  I  knew  the  Indians  to  be  encamped.  This, 
however,  did  not  suit  the  purpose  of  my  enemy,  who  seized 
me  by  the  arm,  and  drew  mc  violently  in  the  opposite  direction, 
to  the  distance  of  fifty  yards  above  the  fort.  Here,  finding  that 
I  was  approaching  the  bushes  and  sand-hills,  I  determined  to 
proceed  no  further,  but  told  the  Indian  that  I  believed  he  meant 
to  murder  me,  and  that  if  so  he  might  as  well  strike  where  I 
was  as  at  any  greater  distance.  He  replied,  with  coolness,  that 
my  suspicions  were  just,  and  that  he  meant  to  pay  me  in  this 


ALEXANDER  HENRYS  CArXIVITY. 


295 


t  Wenniway 
that  I  was  to 
lere  eJ.so,  the 
5  threatened, 
led  my  fears 
epie.sent,  the 
nice,  did  not 
ly  consented 
another  <>p- 

,  in  order  to 
ach  of  insult 
e  more  than 
1  which  was 
of  the  fort, 
nan,  as  well 
le  preceding 
or  which  he 
s  to  the  sur- 
ff  him  with 


ixg 


? " 


This 
le  to  suspect 

fe.  I  com- 
le   g-ave   for 

must  do  as 

ft  the  house 
shirt  would 
sure  in  this 
was  K  ft  me 
s  of  the  In- 
i  motive  for 
■,  as  I  after- 
l  with  blood 

id  me  close, 
ned  toward 
^ed.  This, 
who  seized 
e  direction, 
findinir  that 
termined  to 
d  he  meant 
ke  where  I 
olness,  that 
me  ill  this 


manner  for  my  goods.  At  the  same  time  he  produced  a  knife, 
and  held  me  in  a  position  to  receive  the  intended  bK)w.  Hoth 
this  and  that  which  followed  were  necessarily  the  allair  of  a 
moment.  By  some  ellbrt,  too  sudden  and  too  little  dependent 
on  thouirht  to  be  explained  or  remembered,  I  was  enabled  to 
arrest  his  ;irm,  and  Q;'ive  h'  .  a  sudden  ])ush,  by  which  1  turned 
him  from  me,  and  released  myseii  from  his  g'rasp.  This  was 
no  sooner  done  than  I  ran  toward  the  fort,  with  all  the  swift- 
ness in  my  power,  the  Indian  following  me,  and  I  expecting 
every  moment  to  feel  his  knife.  I  succeeded  in  my  flight ; 
and,  on  entering  the  fort,  I  saw  Wenniway  standing  in  the 
mitlst  of  the  area,  and  to  bun  1  hastened  tor  protection.  Wen- 
niway desired  the  Indian  to  desist;  but  the  latter  pursued  me 
round  him,  making  several  strokes  at  me  with  his  knife,  and 
foaming  at  the  mouth  v/iih  rage  at  the  repeated  faihire  of  his 
purpose.  At  length  Wenniway  drew  near  to  M.  Langlade's 
house ;  and  the  door  being  opea,  I  ran  into  it.  The  Indian 
followed  me  ;  but  on  my  entering  the  house,  he  voluntuiily 
abandoned  the  pursuit. 

Preserved  so  often,  and  so  unexpectedly,  as  it  had  now  been 
my  lot  to  be,  I  returned  to  my  garret,  with  a  strong  inclina- 
tion to  believe  that,  through  the  will  of  an  overruling  power, 
no  Indian  enemy  could  do  me  hurt ;  but  new  trials,  as  I  believed, 
were  at  hand,  when,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  I  was  roused 
from  sleep,  and  once  more  desired  to  descend  the  stairs.  Not 
less,  however,  to  my  satisfaction  than  surprise,  1  was  sum- 
moned only  to  meet  Major  Etherington,  Mr.  Bostwick  and 
Lieutenant  Lesslie,  who  were  in  the  room  below. 

These  gentlemen  had  been  taken  prisoners,  while  looking 
at  the  game,  without  the  fort,  and  immediately  stripped  of  all 
their  clothes.  They  were  now  sent  into  the  fort,  under  the 
charge  of  Canadians,  because,  the  Indians  having  resolved  on 
getting  drunk,  the  chiefs  were  apprehensive  that  they  would 
be  murdered  if  they  continued  in  the  caiiip.  Lieutenant 
Jemette  and  seventy  soldiers  had  been  killed  ;  and  but  twenty 
Englishmen,  including  soldiers,  were  still  alive.  These  were 
all  within  the  fort,  together  with  nearly  three  hundred  Cana- 
dians belonging  to  the  canoes,  &c. 

These  being  our  numbers,  myself  and  others  proposed  to  Maj. 
Etherington  to  make  an  effort  for  regaining  possession  of  the  fort, 
and  maintaining  it  against  the  Indians.  The  Jesuit  missionary 
was  consulted  on  the  project ;  but  he  dis>'ouraged  us,  by  his  rep- 
resentations, not  only  of  the  merciless  treatment  which  we  must 
expect  from  the  Indians,  should  they  regain  their  superiority, 
but  of  the  little  dependence  which  was  to  be  placed  upon  our 
Canadian  auxiliaries.     Thus  the  fort  and  prisoners  remained 


1:''!^ 


! 


296 


ALEXANDER    HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


in  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  thonq-h,  throuj^h  the  wholo  night, 
the  prisoners  and  wliiles  were  iri  actual  possession,  and  they 
were  without  the  <T^atcs. 

That  whole  night,  or  the  greater  part  of  it,  was  jiassed  in 
mutual  (-ondolence  ;  and  my  i'elJow-prisoners  shared  my  garret. 
In  the  morning,  being  again  called  down,  I  found  my  master 
Wermiway,  and  wjis  desired  to  follow  him.  He  led  me  to  a  small 
house,  within  the  fort,  where,  in  a  narrow  room,  and  almost 
dark,  I  found  Mr.Ezekiel  Solomons,  an  Englishman  from  Detroit, 
and  a  soldier,  all  prisoners.  With  these,  I  rcnmined  in  pain- 
ful suspense,  as  to  the  scene  that  was  next  to  ])resent  itself,  till 
ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  when  an  Indian  arrived,  and  pres- 
ently marched  us  to  the  lake-side,  where  a  canoe  appeared 
ready  for  departure,  and  in  which  we  found  that  we  were  to 
emba"k. 

Our  voyage,  full  of  doubt  as  it  was,  would  have  commenced 
immediately,  but  that  one  of  the  Indians,  who  was  to  be  of 
the  party,  was  absent.     His  arrival  was  to  be  waited  for ;  and 
this  occasioned  a   very   long  delay,   durin  »•  which  we   were 
exposed  to  a  keen  north-east  wind.     An  old  shirt,  was  all  that 
covered    me ;  I   suffered    much    from    the  cold ;  and    in   this 
extremity,  M.  Langlade  coming  down  to  the  beach,  I  asked 
him  for  a  blanket,  pvumising  if  I  lived  to  pay  him  for  it,  at  any 
price  he  pleased  ;  but  the  answer  I  received  was  this,  that  he 
could  let  me  have  no  blanket  unless  there  were  some  one  to 
be  security  for  the  payment.     For  myself,  he  observed,  I  had 
no  longer  any  property  in  that  country.     I  had  no  more  to  say 
to    M.    Langlade ;    but    presently  seeing   another   Canadian, 
named  John  Cuchoise,  I  addressed  to  him  a  similar  request,  and 
was  not  refused.     Naked  as  I   was  and  rigorous   as  was   the 
weather,  but  for  the  blanket  I  must  have  perished.     At  noon, 
our  party  was  all  collected,  the  prisoners  all  embarked,  and  we 
steered  for  the  Isles  du  Castor,  [Beaver  Island,]  in  lake  Michigan. 
The  soldier  who  was  our  companion  in  misfortune  was  made 
fast  to  a  bar  of  the  canoe,  by  a  rope   tied  round  his   neck,  as 
is  the  manner  of  the  Indians   in   transporting   their  prisoners. 
The  rest  were  left  unconfined  ;  but  a  paddle  was  put  into  each 
of  our  hands,  and  we  were  made   to  use  it.     The  Indians  in 
the  canoe  were  seven   in  number,  the   prisoners  four.     I  had 
left,  as  it  will  be  recollected.  Major   Etherington,   Lieutenant 
Lesslie  and  Mr.    Bostwick,  at  M.  Langlade's,  and  was  now 
joined  in  misery  with  Mr.  Ezekiel  Solomons,  the   soldier,  and 
the  Englishman  who  had  newly  arrived   from   Detroit.     This 
was  on  the  sixth  day  of  June.     The   fort  was   taken   on  the 
fourth  ;  I  surrendered  myself  to  Wenniway  on  the   fifth;  and 
this  v\^as  the  third  day  of  our  distress. 


I 


ALEXANDER   HENRYS  CAPTIVITY. 


297 


whole  night, 
on,  jiiid   t.hey 

IS  pnssed  in 
'il  iny  ffarret. 
1  my  master 
me  to  a  small 
,  an'l  almost 
from  Detroit, 
ncd  in  pain- 
ent  itself,  till 
id,  ajid  pres- 
loe  appeared 
;  we   were  to 

!  commenced 

ivas  to  be  of 

ted  for ;  and 

ch  we   were 

was  all  that 

and    in   this 

ach, I  asked 

for  it,  at  any 

this,  that  he 

some  one  to 

srved,  I  had 

more  to  say 

r   Canadian, 

request,  and 

as  was  the 
.  At  noon, 
rked,  and  we 
ce  Michigan, 
le  was  made 
his  neck,  as 
ir  prisoners. 
)ui  into  each 
e  Indians  in 
four.     I  had 

Lieutenant 
id  was  now 
soldier,  and 
troit.  This 
akci)  on  the 
9   fifth;  and 


We  were  bound,  as  I  have  said,  for  the  Isles  du  Castor, 
which  lie  in  the  mouth  of  lake  Michigan  ;  and  we  should 
have  crossed  'he  lake,  but  that  a  thirk  fog  came  on,  on  account 
of  which  the  Indians  deemed  it  safer  to  keep  the  shore*  close 
under  their  lee.  We  therefore  approaclied  the  lands  of  the 
Ottawas,  ntid  their  village  of  L'Arbre  Croche,  already  m<M\- 
tioucd  as  lyiuL""  about  twenty  miles  to  the  westward  of  Alichili- 
nuickiuac,  on  the  o})posite  side  of  the  tongue  of  land  on  which 
the  fort  is  built. 

Every  half  hour,  the  Indians  gave  their  war-whoops,  one 
for  every  prisoner  in  their  canoe.  This  is  a  !i»'ncral  custom, 
by  the  aid  of  wliicli  all  other  Indians,  witliin  hearing,  are 
apprized  (jf  the  number  of  prisoners  they  are  carrying. 

In  this  manner,  w(?  reached  Wagoshense,  Fox-point,  a  long 
point,  stretcliiug  westward  into  the  lake,  and  which  tlie  Oitawus 
make  a  carrying  place,  to  avoid  i^oing  round  it.  It  is  distant 
eighteen  miles  from  Michilimackinac.  After  the  Indians  had 
made  their  war-whoop,  as  before,  an  Ottawa  appeared  upon  the 
beach,  who  made  signs  that  we  should  land.  In  consoipicnce, 
we  approached.  The  Ottawa  asked  the  news,  and  kept  the 
Chippcways  in  further  conversation,  till  we  were  w'lthin  a  few 
yards  of  the  land,  and  in  shallow  water.  At  this  moment,  a 
hundred  men  rushed  upon  us,  from  among  the  bushes,  and 
dragged  all  the  prisoners  out  of  the  canoes,  amid  a  terrifying 
shout. 

We  now  believed  that  our  last  sufferings  were  approaching; 
but  no  sooner  were  we  fairly  on  shore,  and  on  our  legs,  than 
the  chiefs  of  the  party  advanced,  and  gave  each  of  us  their 
hands,  telling  us  that  they  were  our  friends,  and  Ottawas, 
whom  the  Chippeways  had  insulted,  by  destroying  the  English 
without  consulting  with  them  on  the  affair.  They  added  that 
Avhat  they  had  done  was  for  the  purpose  of  saving  our  lives,  the 
Chippeways  having  been  carrying  us  to  the  Isles  du  Castor 
only  to  kill  and  devour  us. 

The  reader's  imagination  is  here  distracted  by  the  variety  of 
our  fortunes,  and  he  may  well  paint  to  himself  the  state  of  mind 
of  those  who  sustained  them,  who  were  the  sport  or  the  vic- 
tims of  a  series  of  events,  more  like  dreams  than  realities, 
more  like  fiction  than  truth  !  It  was  not  long  before  we  were 
embarked  again,  in  the  canoes  of  the  Ottawas,  who,  th(>  same 
evening,  relanded  us  at  ^Michilimackinac,  where  they  marched 
us  into  the  fort,  in  view  of  the  Chippeways,  confounded  at 
beholding  the  Ottawas  espouse  a  side  opposite  to  their  own. 

The  Ottawas,  who  had  accompanied  us  in  sufTicient  num- 
bers, took  possession  of  the  fort.     We,  who  had  changed  mas- 


,■1 


i-  li 


-a 


298 


ALEXANDER  IIEXRrS  CAPTIVITY. 


ters,  but  were  still  prisoners,  were  lodged  in    the   house  of  the 
commandant,  and  strictly  guarded. 

Early  the  next  morning,  a  general  council  was  held,  in 
which  the  Chippeways  coni])Iained  much  of  the  conduct  of 
the  Oltawas  in  robbing  them  of  their  prisoners  ;  alleging  that 
all  the  Indians,  the  Otlawas  alone  excepted,  were  at  war  with 
the  English  ;  that  Pontiac  had  taken  Detroit;  that  the  king 
of  France  had  awoke,  and  repossessed  himself  of  Ciuehec  and 
Montreal  ;  and  tliat  the  English  were  meeting  destruction, 
not  only  at  Michiliniackinac,  but  in  every  other  part  of  the 
world.  From  all  this  they  inferred  that  it  became  the  Ottawas 
to  restore  the  prisoners,  and  to  join  in  t!ie  war  ;  and  the  speech 
was  followed  by  large  presents,  being  part  ol'  the  plunder  of 
the  fort,  and  which  was  ])reviously  heaped  in  the  centre  of 
the  room.  The  Indians  rarely  nialvc  their  answers  till  the  day 
after  they  have  heard  the  arguments  ofi'ered.  They  did  not 
depart  from  their  custom  on  this  necasion  ;  and  the  council 
therefore  adjourned. 

We,  the  ])rJsoners,  whose  fate  was  thus  in  controversy,  were 
unacquainted  at  the  time  with  this  transaction  ;  and  therefore 
enjoyed  a  night  oi  tolerable  tranquillity,  not  in  the  least  sus- 
pecting the  reverse  which  Avas  preparing  for  us.  Which  of 
the  arguments  of  the  Chippeways,  or  whether  or  not  all 
were  deemed  valid  by  the  Ottawas,  I  cannot  say ;  but  the 
council  was  resumed  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  and, 
aft^r  several  speeches  had  been  made  in  it,  the  prisoners  were 
sent  for,  and  returned  to  the  Chippeways. 

The  Ottawas,  who  now  gave  us  into  the  hands  of  the 
Chippeways,  had  themselves  declared  that  the  latter  designed 
no  other  than  to  kill  us,  and  viake  brnth  of  ns.  The  Chippe- 
ways, as  soon  as  we  were  restored  to  them,  marched  us  to  a 
village  of  their  own,  situate  on  the  ])oint  which  is  below  the 
fort,  and  put  us  into  a  lodge,  already  the  prison  of  fourteen 
soldiers,  tied  two  and  two,  with  each  a  rope  about  his  neck,  and 
made  fast  to  a  pole  which  might  be  called  the  supporter  of  the 
building. 

I  was  left  untied  ;  but  I  passed  a  night  sleepless  and  full  of 
wretchedness.  My  bed  was  the  bare  ground,  and  I  was 
again  reduced  to  an  old  shirt,  as  my  entire  apparel  ;  the 
blanket  which  I  had  received,  through  the  generosity  of  M. 
Cuchoise,  having  been  taken  from  me  among  the  Ottawas, 
when  they  seized  upon  myself  and  the  others,  at  Wagoshense. 
I  was,  besides,  in  want  of  food,  having  for  two  days  eaten  noth- 
ing. 

I  confess  that  in  the  canoe  with  the  Chippeways  I  was 
ofTered  bread  ;  but,  bread,  with  what  accompaniment!     They 


ALEXANDER   IIEXRVS  CAPTIVITY. 


299 


)use  of  the 

IS  held,  in 
•onduct  of 
ei!:iti^r  that 
I  war  uiih 
;  the  king- 
Quebec  and 
estruclion, 
•art  of  the 
le  Ottawas 
tlie  speech 
ilunder  of 
centre  of 
lill  the  day 
ey  did  not 
he   council 

ersy,  were 
I  therefore 
least  sus- 
Which  of 
or  not  all 
r ;  but  the 
:ning,  and, 
jners  were 

nds  of  the 
r  designed 
le  Chippe- 
d  us  to  a 
below  the 
)f  fourteen 
3  neck,  and 
rter  of  the 

md  full  of 
md  I  was 
parel  ;  the 
sity  of  M. 
'  Ottawas, 
agoshense. 
'aten  noth- 


had  a  loaf,  which  they  cut  with  the  same  Icnives  that  they  had 
employed  in  the  massacre — knives  siill  covered  with  blood. 
The  bh)od  they  moistened  witii  spittle,  and  rubbing  it  on 
the  bread,  otlered  tliis  for  food  to  their  prisoners,  telling  them 
to  cat  the  blood  of  their  countrymen. 

Such  was  my  situation  on  the  mornin£r  of  the  seventh  of 
June,  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-three; 
but  a  few  hours  produced  an  event  which  gave  still  a  new- 
color  to  my  lot. 

Toward  noon,  when  the  great  war-chief,  in  company  with 
Wenniway  was  seated  at  the  opposite  end  of  the  lodge,  my 
friend  and  brother,  Wawatam,  suddenly  came  in.  During 
the  four  days  preceding,  I  had  often  wondered  what  had 
become  of  him.  In  passing  by  he  gave  me  his  hand,  but 
went  immediately  toward  the  great  chief,  by  the  side  of  whom 
and  Wenniway,  he  sat  himself  down.  The  most  uninterrupted 
silence  prevailed ;  each  smoked  his  pipe ;  and  this  done, 
Wawatam  arose,  and  left  the  lodge,  saying  to  me,  as  he  passed, 
"  Take  courage  !" 

An  hour  elapsed,  during  Avhich  several  chiefs  entered,  and 
preparations  appeared  to  be  making  for  a  council.  At  length, 
Wawatam  re-entered  the  lodge,  followed  by  his  wife,  and  both 
loaded  with  merchandise,  which  they  carried  up  to  the  chiefs, 
and  laid  in  a  heap  before  them.  Some  moments  of  silence 
foUow^ed,  at  the  end  of  which  Wawatam  pronounced  a  speech, 
every  word  of  which,  to  me,  was  of  extraordinary  interest  : 

"  Friends  and  relations,"  he  began,  "  what  is  it  that  1   shall 


say 


?     You   know   what   I   feel.      You   all    have   friends    and 


■lys 
It! 


I  was 
They 


brothers  and  children,  whom  as  yourselves  you  love  ;  and  you, 
what  would  you  experience,  did  you,  like  me,  behold  your 
dearest  friend — your  brother — in  the  condition  of  a  slave; 
a  slave,  exposed  every  moment  to  insult,  and  to  menaces  of 
death  ?  This  case,  as  you  all  know,  is  mine.  See  there 
{pointing  to  myself)  my  friend  and  brother  among  slaves,  him- 
self a  slave  ! 

"  You  all  well  know  that  long  before  the  war  began  I 
adopted  him  as  my  brother.  From  that  moment  he  becauie 
one  of  my  family,  so  that  no  change  of  circumstances  could 
break  the  cord  wdiich  fastened  us  together. 

"  He  is  my  brother;  and,  because  I  am  your  relation,  h'-  is 
therefore  your  relation  too  : — and  how,  being  your  relation,  can 
he  be  your  slave  ? 

"  On  the  day  on  which  the  war  began,  you  were  fearful, 
lest  on  this  very  account  I  should  reveal  your  secret. 
You  requested,  therefore,  that  I  would  leave  the  fort,  and 
even   cross   the  lake.     I  did  so,  but  did  it    with  reluctance. 


■^1 


\  if 

i 


I- 1 


f  il 


300 


ALEXANDER  HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


!?, 


If    ' 


I  did  it  with  reluctance,  notwithstanding  that  you,  Meneh- 
wchna,  who  had  the  conunaiid  in  this  enlcTprisi-,  i^ave  mo 
your  promise  that  you  wouhl  protect  my  friend,  delivjring  iiim 
from  all  dani^'cr,  and  givinir  him  safely  to  me. 

''  The  performance  of  this  promise  I  imw  claim.  I  come 
not  with  emp/iy  hands  to  ask  it.  You,  Monehwehna,  best 
know  whether  or  not,  as  it  respects  yourself,  you  have  kept 
your  word,  Imt  i  bring  these  goods,  to  buy  oif  every  claim 
which  any  man  among  you  all  may  have  on  my  brotiier,  a:;  his 
prisoner." 

Wawatain  having  ceased,  the  pipes  were  again  filled  ;  and 
after   they  were  finished,  a  further  })eriod  of  silence  followed. 
At  the  end  of  this,  Menehwehna  arose,  and  gave  liis  reply  : 

"  My  relation  and  brother,"  said  he,  "  wliat  you  have  spoken 
is  the  truth.  We  were  acquainted  with  the  friendship  which 
subsisted  between  yourself  and  the  Englishman,  in  whose 
behalf  you  have  now  addressed  us.  We  knew  the  danger  of 
having  our  secret  discovered,  and  the  consequences  which 
mu.-t  i\  (low ;  and  you  say  truly  that  we  requested  you  to  leave 
the  fort.  This  we  did  out  of  regard  for  you  and  your  family  ; 
for,  if  a  discovery  of  our  design  had  been  made,  you  would 
have  been  blamed,  whether  guilty  or  not ;  and  you  would  thus 
have  been  involved  in  difficulties  from  which  you  could  not 
have  extricated  yourself. 

"  It  is  also  true  that  I  promised  you  to  take  care  of  your 
friend  ;  and  this  promise  I  performed,  by  desiring  my  son, 
at  the  moment  of  assault,  to  seek  him  out,  and  bring  him 
to  my  lodge.  He  went  accordingly,  but  could  not  find  him. 
The  day  after  I  sent  him  to  Langlade's,  when  he  was  informed 
that  your  friend  was  safe  ;  and  had  ii  not  been  that  the  Indians 
were  then  drinking  the  rum  which  had  been  found  in  the  fort, 
he  would  have  brought  him  home  with  him,  according  to  my 
orders. 

'*  I  am  very  glad  to  find  that  your  friend  has  escaped.  We 
accept  your  present ;  and  you  may  tal:e  him  home  with 
you." 

Wawatam  thanked  the  assembled  chiefs,  and  taking  me  by 
the  hand,  led  me  to  his  lodge,  which  was  at  the  distance  of  a 
few  yards  only  from  the  prison-lodge.  My  entrance  appeared 
to  give  joy  to  the  whole  family;  food  was  immediately  pre- 
pared for  me  ;  and  I  now  ate  the  first  hearty  meal  which  1  had 
made  since  my  capture.  I  found  myself  one  of  the  lainily ; 
and  but  that  t  had  still  my  fears,  as  to  the  other  Indians,  I  felt 
as  happy  as  the  situation  could  allow\ 

In  the  course  of  the  next  morning,  I  was  alarmed  by  a  noise 
in  the  prison-iudge ;  and  locking  through  the  openings  of  the 


ALEXANDER   HENRYS   CAPTIVITY. 


301 


on,  Moneh- 
L,  giive  iTic 
liv'jring  him 

m.  I  come 
wehna,  best 
I  have  kept 
every  claim 
•other,  as  his 

filled ;  unci 
ICC  followed, 
his  reply  : 
have  spoken 
dship  which 
n,  in  whose 
le  danger  of 
cnces    which 

you  to  leave 
your  family  ; 
;,  you  would 
u  would  thus 
ou   could  not 

care  of  your 
ing  my  son, 
d  bring  him 
lot  fnid  him. 
was  informed 
It  the  Indians 
id  in  the  fort, 
ording  to   my 

scaped.  We 
I    home    with 

taking  me  hy 
distance  of  a 
inre  a]>poared 
ncdiately  pre- 
which  1  had 
if  the  family ; 
Indians,  I  felt 

lied  by  a  noise 
lenings  of  the 


lodgo  in  which  I  was,  I  saw  seven  diad  bodies  of  white  men 
draufged  forth.  Upon  my  incpiiry  into  the  oc.vision,  I  was 
informedth.it  a  certain  chief,  called  bv  ibe  Canadians  Le  (Jrand 
Sable,  had  not  long  before  arrived  from  his  winter's  hum  ;  and 
that  he,  having  b(!on  absent  wben  tbe  war  begini,  and  being 
now  desirous  of  manifestinn;-  to  the  Indians  at  large  his  In  arty 
concurrence  in  w.iat  they  had  done,  had  gone  into  the  prison- 
lodge,  and  there  with  his  knife  put  the  seven  men  whose  bodies 
I  had  seen  to  death. 

Shortly  after,  two  of  the  Indians  took  one  of  the  dead  bodies, 
which  they  chose  as  being  the  fattest,  cut  otf  tlie  head,  and 
divided  the  whole  into  five  parts,  one  of  which  was  put  into 
each  of  five  kettles,  hung  over  as  many  fires  kindled  for  this 
purpose,  at  the  door  of  the  prison-lodge.  Soon  after  things 
were  so  far  prepared,  a  message  came  to  our  lodge,  with  an 
invitation  to  Wawatam  to  assist  at  the  feast. 

An  invitation  to  a  feast  is  given  by  him  who  is  the  master 
of  it.  Small  cuttings  of  cedar  wood,  of  about  four  inches  in 
length,  supply  tli^  niace  of  cards ;  and  the  bearer  by  word  of 
mouth  states  the  plwticulars. 

Wawatam  obeyed  the  summons,  taking  with  him,  as  is  usual, 
to  the  place  of  entertainment,  his  dish  and  spoon. 

After  m  absence  of  about  half  an  hour,  he  returned,  bringing 
in  his  dish  a  human  liand,  and  a  large  piece  of  flesh.  H(!  did 
not  appear  to  relish  the  repast,  but  told  me  that  it  war-  then, 
and  always  had  been  the  custom  among  all  the  Indian  nations, 
when  returning  from  \var,  or  on  overcoming  their  enemies,  to 
make  a  war-feast  from  among  the  slain.  This  he  said  insj)ir- 
ed  the  warrior  with  courage  in  attack,  and  bred  him  to  meet 
death  with  fearlessness. 

In  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  a  large  canoe,  such  as  those 
which  came  from  Montreal,  was  seen  advancing  to  the  fort. 
It  was  full  of  men,  and  I  distinguished  several  passemrers. 
The  Indian  cry  was  made  in  the  village  ;  a  general  muster 
ordered  ;  and  to  the  number  of  two  hundred  they  marched  up 
to  the  fort,  where  the  canoe  was  expected  to  land.  The  canoe, 
suspecting  nothing,  came  boldly  to  the  fort,  where  the  passen- 
gers, as  being  English  traders,  were  seized,  dragged  through 
the  water,  beat,  reviled,  marched  to  the  prison-lodge,  and  there 
stripped  of  their  clothes  and  confmed. 

Of  the  Enoflish  traders  that  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians 
at  the  capture  of  the  fort,  Mr.  Tracy  was  the  only  one  who 
lost  his  life.  Mr.  Ezekiel  Solomons  and  Mr.  Henry  Bostwick 
were  taken  by  the  Ottawas,  and  after  the  j)eace  carried  down 
to  Montreal,  and  there  ransomed.  Of  ninety  troops,  about 
seventy  were  killed ;  the  rest,  together  with  those  of  the  posts 

26 


'<Ji' 


■I !' 


302 


ALEXANDER  HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


f> 


1i 


^i,M 


I' 


in  the  Biiy  dcs  P-iiuUs,  and  at  the  river  Saint  Jn>«'ph,  wore 
also  Ki'pt  ill  safety  hy  lln'  Ollawastill  tin'  pencf,  and  ihcii  cither 
I'lecdy  re>lor','d,  or  raiisoniod  at  iMonlrcal.  The  Ottauas  never 
overcame  thfdr  diooust  at  the  ner^lecl  wilii  wiiich  tliey  had 
been  treated,  in  the  bes^iiining  of  the  war,  by  those  who  after- 
ward desired  their  assistance  as  allies. 

In  the  morning  of  the  ninth  of  June,  a  general  conncil  was 
held,  at  wliich  it  was  agreed  to  reniove  to  the  island  of  Michi- 
limackinac  as  a  more  defensible  situation  in  the  event  of  an 
attacl:  by  the  English.  The  Indians  had  hegun  to  entertain 
apprehensions  of  want  of  strength.  No  news  had  reached 
them  i'rotn  ihe  Potawatamies,  in  the  Bay  des  Puants  ;  and  they 
were  uncertain  whether  or  not  the  Monomins*  won  hi  join  them. 
They  even  feared  that  the  Sioux  would  take  the  Englisii  side. 

This  resolution  fixed,  they  prepared  for  a  speedy  retreat. 
At  noon  the  camp  was  broken  up,  and  we  emharked,  taking 
with  us  the  prisoners  that  were  still  undisposed  of.  On  our 
passage  we  encountered  a  gale  of  wind,  and  there  were  some 
appearances  of  danger.  To  aA'ert  it,  a  do^,  i)f  Avhich  the  legs 
were  previously  tied  together,  was  thrownP  into  the  lake  ;  an 
ofl^'ring  designed  to  soothe  the  angry  passions  of  some  otiended 
Manito. 

As  we  approached  the  island,  two  women  in  the  canoe  in 
which  I  was  began  to  utter  melancholy  and  hideous  cries. 
Precarious  as  my  condition  still  remained,  I  experienced  some 
sensations  of  alarm  from  these  dismal  sounds,  of  which  I  could 
not  then  discover  the  occasion.  Subse([uently,  I  learned  that 
it  is  customary  for  the  women,  on  passing  near  the  burial  places 
of  relations,  never  to  omit  the  practice  of  which  1  was  now  a 
witness,  and  by  which  they  intend  to  denote  their  frief. 

By  the  approach  of  evening  avo  reached  the  island  in  safety, 
and  the  women  were  not  lon.^  in  electing  our  cabins.  In  the 
morning,  there  was  a  muster  of  the  Indians,  at  which  there 
were  found  three  hundred  r.nd  fifty  fighting  men. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  there  arrived  a  canoe  from  Detroit, 
with  ambassadors,  who  endeavored  to  prevail  on  the  Indians 
to  repair  thither  to  the  assistance  of  Pontiac  ;  but  fear  was  now 
the  prevailing  passion.  A  guard  was  kept  during  the  da}%  and 
a  watch  by  night,  and  alarms  Avere  very  frequently  spread. 
Had  an  enemy  appeared,  all  the  prisoners  Avould  haAo  been  put 
to  death  ;  and  I  suspected  that,  as  an  Englishman,  I  should 
share  their  fate. 

*  Manomines,  or  Malominos.  In  the  first  syllable,  the  substitution  of  I 
for  n,  and  n  for  /,  marks  one  of  the  difTerences  in  the  Chippeway  and  Al- 
gonquin dialects.  Tn  the  moulh  of  an  Algonquin,  it  is  Michilimacf:inac  ; 
in  that  of  a  ChippcAvay,  Michinimachinac. 


ALEXANDER    HENRYS    CAPTIVITY. 


303 


o-rpli,  were 
tlicii  cither 
taw  as  11  over 
•h  they  had 
e  who  aftcr- 

coimcil  was 
i(t  (if  xMichi- 
evoiit  of  an 
lo  oiitcrtain 
uul  reached 
s  ;  and  they 
join  t}u!m. 
CnuHsii  side, 
edy  retreat, 
rked,  takini^ 
of.  On  our 
c  were  some 
lich  the  legs 
he  lake  ;  an 
jine  offended 

the  canoe  in 
ideous  cries, 
rieuced  some 
ihich  I  could 

learned  that 
burial  places 
I  was  now  a 

"■rief, 
iml  in  safety, 
bins.     In  the 

which  there 

from  Detroit, 
1  the  Indians 
fear  was  now 
•  the  day,  and 
3ntly  spread. 
ia\e  been  put 
an,  I  should 


;ubstitntion  of  Z 
)ppway  and  Al- 
lichilimackinac  ; 


Several  days  had  now  passed,  when  one  morninir  a  contin- 
ued ahirm  prevailed,  and  I  sa  v  the  liulians  runriin<(  in  a  con- 
fused maniH^r  toward  the  beach.  In  a  short  time  I  learned 
that  tw(»  larire  canoes  from  ^Montreal  were  in  sitrht. 

Aii  ihi'  liidiati  canoes  wen;  iintiie(!iately  manueil,  and  those 
from  Alontrt'il  were  siirroiiiidcd  and  sei/.-il,  as  tliey  liirned  a 
point  hi'hiii'l  which  the  Hotilhi  had  been  concealed.  The  goods 
were  consiiriicl  to  a  Mr.  Levy,  and  woiihl  have  been  saved  if 
the  canoe  men  had  called  them  French  property  ;  but  they  were 
terrilied  and  disgnised  nothing. 

In  the  canoes  was  a  large  proportion  of  liquor,  a  dangerous 
accpiisition,  and  which  threatened  disturbance  among  the  In- 
dians, even  to  the  loss  of  their  dearest  friends.  Wawalam, 
always  waichi'ul  o  mv  sal'etv,  no  sooner  heard  the  noise  of 
drunkenness,  which  in  the  evening  did  not  fail  to  bet;in,  than 
he  represented  to  me  the  danger  of  remaining  in  the  village, 
and  owned  that  he  could  not  himself  resist  the  temptation  of 
joining  his  comrades  in  the  debauch.  That  1  miijfht  escape  all 
.mischief,  he  therefore  reiiuested  that  '  would  accompany  him 
to  the  mountain,  where  I  was  to  romuin  hidden  till  the  liquor 
should  be  drank. 

We  ascended  the  mountain  accordingly.  It  is  this  mountain 
which  constitutes  that  high  land  in  the  middle  of  the  island, 
of  which  I  have  spoken  before,  as  of  a  figure  considered  as 
resembling  a  turtle,  and  therefore  called  Mic/tili/nackinac.  It 
is  thickly  covered  with  wood,  and  very  rocky  toward  the  top. 
After  walking  more  than  lialf  a  mile,  we  came  to  a  large  rock, 
at  the  base  of  w^'-jji  was  an  opening,  dark  within,  and  appear- 
ing to  be  the  entrance  of  a  cave. 

Here,  VVawatam  recommended  that  I  should  take  up  my 
lodging,  and  by  all  rneans  remain  till  he  returned. 

On  going  into  the  cave,  of  which  the  entrance  w'as  nearly 
ten  feet  wide,  I  found  the  further  end  to  be  rounded  in  its  shape, 
like  that  of  an  oven,  but  with  a  further  aperture,  too  small, 
how^ever,  to  be  explored. 

After  thus  looking  around  me,  I  broke  small  branches  from 
the  trees,  and  sp.  ^ad  them  for  a  bed  ;  then  wrapped  myself  in 
my  blanket,  and  slept  till  daybreak. 

On  awaking  I  felt  myself  incommoded  by  some  object  upon 
which  I  lay  ;  and  removing  it,  found  it  to  be  a  bone.  This  I 
supposed  to  be  that  of  a  deer,  or  some  other  animal,  and  wdiat 
might  very  naturally  be  looked  for  in  the  place  in  which  it  was  ; 
but,  when  daylight  visited  my  chamber,  I  discovered,  with  some 
feelings  of  horror,  that  I  was  lying  on  nothing  less  than  a  heap 
of  human  bones  and  skulls,  which  covered  all  the  floor  ! 

The  day  passed  without  the  return  of  Wawatam,  and  with- 


i 


I 


1        1 

i^ 

304 


ALF:XANDnil  IIENRV'S  CAPTIVITY 


out  fond.  As  nin-lit  n|)j)roiiclK«(l,  I  found  myself  luiiiltN'  to  mot't 
its  darkness  in  tlie  clmrm'MHMisc!,  which,  nevertheless,  1  had 
viewed  free  from  nnc  siness  (hirinir  (he  day.  1  chose,  there- 
for(!,  an  adjacent  husL  this  niLdit's  hidi'ln^'",  and  sicjtt  under 
it  as  hef(»re  ;  hut  in  li  ornini,',  1  awoke  liunifry  and  dispir- 
ited, and  ahnost  envyino-  tuc  dry  hones,  to  llie  view  (d' which  I 
returned.  At  h'uyth  th(;  sound  of  a  fitot  reached  inc,  and  my 
Iiulian  friend  appeared,  makiuL''  many  apoloL'ies  for  his  lony" 
ahsi  lice,  tile  cause  of  winch  was  an  urdurtunale  excess  in  llie 
enjoyment  o(  his  licpior. 

'J'his  point  heiuL^  exphiined,  I  mentioned  tlie  extraordinary 
si^-ht  that  had  pre^seiiled  iisrlf  in  the  cave  to  wliicji  he  had 
coinmench'd  my  shmdiers.  He  had  never  lu>ard  of  its  exi>l(,'nce 
before;  and,  upon  exaniiniun  'he  cave  loi^clher,  we  saw  reason 
to  ix.'lieve  that  it  liad  heen  anciently  filled  with  human  hodios. 

On  returninir  to  the  lodye,  1  experienced  a  cin'dial  reception 
from  the  family,  which  consisted  of  the  wife  of  my  friend,  his 
two  sons,  (d"  wiiom  the  eldest  was  married,  and  whose  wile, 
and  a  dauLfhter  of  thirt(>en  years  of  ac^e,  completed  the  li'^t; 

vv  awatanl  Veiated  to  the  oilier  Indians  the  adventure  of  the 
boiu's.  All  of  them  expressed  surprise  at  hearint;  it,  aiul  de- 
clared that  they  had  never  lu'en  aware  of  the  contents  of  this 
cave  before.  After  visitincf  it,  wiiich  they  immediat(d\  did, 
ahnost  every  one  offered  a  dillerent  opinion  as  to  its  history. 

Some  advanced,  that  at  a  period  when  the  waters  overflowed 
the  land,  (an  event  wlii(di  makes  a  distineuished  lii^urt^  in  the 
history  of  the'ir  wculd,)  the  inhal)itanls  of  this  island  had  fled 
into  the  cave,  and  been  there  ilrowned  ;  others,  that  those  same 
iidiabitants,  when  the  ITurons  made  war  upon  them,  (as  tradi- 
tion says  they  did,)  hid  themselves  in  the  cave,  and  being 
discovered,  were  there  massacred.  For  myself",  I  am  disposed 
to  belii've  that  this  cave  was  an  ancient  receptacle  of  the  bones 
of  prisoners,  sacrificed  and  devoured  at  war-feasts.  I  have 
always  observed  that  the  Indians  pay  particular  attention  to 
the  bones  of  sacrifices,  preservings  them  unbroken,  and  deposit- 
ing them  in  some  place  kept  exclusively  for  that  purpose. 

A  few  days  after  the  occurrence  of  the  incidents  recorded 
above,  Menehwehna,  whom  I  now  found  to  be  the  great  chief 
of  the  village  of  Michilimackinac,  came  to  the  lodge  of  my 
friend  ;  and  when  the  usual  ceremony  of  smoking  was  finish- 
ed, he  observed  that  Indians  were  now  daily  arriving  from 
Detroit,  some  of  whom  had  lost  relations  or  friends  in  the  war, 
and  who  would  certainly  retaliate  on  any  Englishman  they 
found  ;  upon  which  account,  his  errand  was  to  advise  that  I 
should  be  dressed  like  an  Indian,  an  expedient  whence  I  migh« 
hope  to  escape  all  future  insult. 


ALKXANDER    IIKNIIY'S   rAPTIVITY 


n()5 


lilc  to  ni'H't 
less,  I   Imd 

lO.SC,  lIuTO- 

If'pt  iiiulcr 
;iri(l  (lisj)ir- 
ol'  w  liicli  I 
1",  iuid  tny 
r  Ills  lont,' 
:i'ss   ill  llic 

rnf)r(linary 
I'll  Ih'  liiid 
<  ('xi.^leriro 
!iu'  reason 
MM  iiodios, 

rf'ccption 
Iriciid,  his 
lutsc  wife, 
w  list, 
tiro  of  the 
it,  and  de- 
lls of  this 
ati'lv  did, 
history, 
verilowed 
iiro  ill  tho 
I  had  fled 
lose  same 

(as  tradi- 
.11(1  hein<>" 
I  disposed 
the  bones 
I  have 
:ention  to 
il  deposit- 
pose. 

recorded 
reat  chief 
?e  of  my 
as  finish- 
ing- from 
I  the  war, 
nan  they 
se  that  I 
e  I  migh* 


I  could  not  hut  consent  to  the  pntposnl,  and  the  chief  was  so 
kind  as  to  assi-i  my  frii'nd  and  his  f;iinily  in  rlii'i'tirif^  that  very 
diiy  the  desired  iiiclniiiorpliosis.  Aly  hair  was  cut  oil",  and  my 
lu'ad  shaved,  with  the  i.'xct'ption  oi  a  >p'it  on  tin-  crown,  of 
nhoiit  twice  the  diameter  of  a  crown-jiiccc.  My  face  was 
painled  with  three  (ir  four  dilli-reiil  colors;  some  parts  of  it 
red,  and  oiIhts  black'.  A  shirt  was  provided  for  me,  painted 
with  vennilioi),  mixed  with  irrease,  A  lart'^e  roljar  of  w:impiim 
was  put  round  my  nerk,  and  another  suspended  on  my  brea>t. 
IJoth  my  arms  were  decorated  with  larj^tj  bands  of  silver  above 
the  elbow,  besides  several  smaller  ones  on  the  wrists;  and  my 
]o(ry.  were  cover(!(i  with  mitasrs,  a  Iciiid  of  hose,  made,  as  is  the 
favorite  fashion,  of  scarlet  cloth.  Over  all,  I  was  to  wear  a 
scarlet  blanket  or  mantle,  and  on  my  head  a  lart^e  bunch  of 
feathers.  I  parted,  not  without  some  rei^ret,  with  tlie  hn\rr  hair 
which  was  natural  to  it,  and  which  I  fancied  to  be  ornamental  ; 
but  the  ladies  of  the  family,  and  of  th(!  villat^e  in  <,'-eneral,  ap- 
jicared  to  think  my  person  improved,  and  now  condescended  to 
call  mc  handsome,  even  among  Indians. 

Protected,  in  a  great  measnre,  by  this  disguise,  I  fcdt  myself 
more  at  liberty  than  before  ;  and  the  season  being  arrived  in 
which  my  clerks,  from  the  interior,  were  to  he  expected,  and 
some  part  of  my  property,  as  I  had  a  right  to  hope,  recovered, 
I  begged  the  favor  of  VVawatam  that  he  would  enable  mv.  to 
pay  a  short  visit  to  jMichilimackinac.  He  'id  not  fail  to  com- 
ply, and  I  succeeded  in  finding  my  clerks  :  but,  either  through 
the  disturbed  state  of  the  country,  as  they  represented  to  be 
the  case,  or  through  their  misconduct,  as  I  had  reason  to  think, 
I  obtained  nothing;  and  nothing,  or  almost  nothing,  I  now 
began  to  think  would  be  all  that  1  should  need  during  the  rest 
of  my  life.  To  lish  and  to  hunt,  to  collect  a  kw  skins,  and 
exchange  them  for  necessaries,  was  all  that  I  seemed  destined 
to  do,  and  to  accjuire,  for  the  future. 

I  returned  to  the  Indian  village,  where  at  this  time  much 
scarcity  of  food  prevailed.  We  were  often  for  twenty-four 
hours  without  eating;  r.iA  when  in  the  morning- we  had  no 
victuals  for  the  day  befoio  us,  the  custom  was  to  black  our 
faces  with  grease  and  ch.ircoal,  and  exhihit,  through  resigna- 
tion, a  temper  as  cheerful  as  if  in  the  midst  of  plenty. 

A  repetition  of  the  evil,  however,  soon  induced  us  to  leave 
the  island  in  search  of  food  ;  and  accordingly  we  departed  for 
the  Bay  of  Boutchiiaouy,  distant  eight  leagues,  and  where 
we  found  plenty  of  wild-fowl  and  fish. 

While  in  the  bay,  my  guardian's  daughter-in-law  was  taken 
in  labor  of  her  first  cliild.  She  was  immediately  removed  out 
of  the  common  lodge  ;  and  a  small  one,  for  her  separate  accom- 


I  I 


li 


306 


ALEXAN'DKR   HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


II 


inodatioM,  was  begun  and  ftnisihcd  by  ihe  women  in  less  thun 
imlC  iui  huur. 

The  next  niornin<(  wv  heard  that  she  was  very  ill,  and  the 
family  In'oan  to  be  much  alarni('(l  on  her  account ;  the  inoro 
8o,  no  doubt,  U'causo  ,.  ast-.s  of  dillicuU  labor  arc  vrry  raro 
anion;r  Indian  women.  In  this  distress.  VV^awalam  reiiucsttd 
ine  to  accoMipany  hirn  into  the  wood>!i ;  and  on  our  way  in- 
formed me  that  if  he  could  lind  a  ^nake,  he  should  soon  secure 
relief  to  his  dauj^rhler-in-luw. 

On  reachini^  some  wet  f^routid,  we  speedily  obtained  th(? 
object  of  our  search,  in  a  small  snake,  of  tlie  kind  called  ih'j 
parter-snake.  VVawatam  seized  it  by  the  neck,  and,  holding 
it  fast,  while  it  coiled  itself  round  his  arm,  he  cut  off  its  head, 
catching  the  blood  in  a  cup  that  lie  had  brouirht  with  him. 
This  done,  he  threw  away  the  snake,  and  carried  home  the 
blood,  which  be  mixed  with  a  cpiantity  of  water.  Of  this 
mixture  he  administered  tirst  oiu;  table-spoonful,  and  shortly 
after  a  secontl.  Within  an  hour  the  patient  was  safely  deli- 
vered of  a  fme  child  ;  and  Wawatam  subsecjuently  declared 
that  the  remedy,  to  which  he  had  resorted,  was  one  that  never 
failed. 

On  the  next  day,  we  left  the  Bay  of  Boutchitaouy ;  and  the 
young  mother,  in  high  spirits,  assisted  in  loading  the  canoe, 
barefooted,  and  knee-deep  in  the  water. 

The  medical  information,  the  diseases  and  the  remedies  of 
the  Indians,  often  engaged  my  curiosity  during  the  period 
through  which  I  was  familiar  with  these  nations ;  and  1  shall 
take  this  occasion  to  introduce  a  few  particulars  connected 
with  their  history. 

The  Indians  are  in  general  free  from  disorders ;  and  an 
instance  of  their  being  subject  to  dropsy,  gout,  or  stone,  never 
came  within  my  knowledge.  Inflammations  of  the  lungs  are 
among  their  most  ordinary  complaints,  and  rheumatism  still 
more  so,  especially  with  the  aged.  Their  mode  of  life,  in 
which  they  are  so  much  exposed  to  the  wet  and  cold,  sleeping 
on  the  ground,  and  inhaling  the  night  air,  sufficiently  accounts 
for  their  liability  to  these  diseases.  The  remedies  on  which 
they  most  rely  are  emetics,  cathartics,  and  the  lancet ;  but 
especially  the  last.  Bleeding  is  so  favorite  an  operation  among 
the  women  that  they  never  lose  an  occasion  of  enjoying  it, 
whether  sick  or  well.  I  have  sometimes  bled  a  dozen  women 
in  a  morning  as  they  sat  in  a  row,  along  a  fallen  tree,  begin- 
ning with  the  first,  opening  the  vein,  then  proceeding  to  the 
second,  and  so  on,  having  three  or  four  individuals  bleeding  at 
the  same  time. 

In  most  villages,  and  particularly  in  those  of  the  Chippe- 


I 


ALEXANDKR   HKXRV'S  CAl'TIVITV. 


no7 


less  thun 

II,  niid  the 

ilu.'  more* 

vrry  rare 

rc(iu('ste(l 

ir  way  iii- 

oon  secure 

taiiu'il  iho 

called  llio 
i<l,  lioldiii^ 
r  its  liciul, 

witli  liiiii. 

lioiiio  the 
.  Of  this 
iiid  .shortly 
<iifely  deli- 
y  declared 

that  never 

! ;  and  the 
the  canoe, 

emedles  of 

the   period 

and  1  shall 

connected 

s ;  and  an 
tone,  never 

lungs  are 

latism  still 

of  life,  in 

d,  sleeping 

ly  accounts 

on  which 
ancet ;  but 
lion  among 
"joying  it, 
'.en  women 
ree,  begin- 
ing  to  the 
bleeding  at 

tie  Chippe- 


way^*.  this  service  was  r«M|uirt'd  of  mio  ;  and  no  p<'rsua>i()n  of 
mine  could  ever  induce  a  woman  to  di>pt'Mst>  with  it. 

in  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  anioni,'  all  the  nations  ihat  I 
have  seen,  paiticular  individuals  arroi,Mte  to  themselves  the 
art  of  hfaliiii,'.  hut  priiii'ipally  by  means  of  pretended  sorcery  ; 
and  operations  of  tliis  sort  are  aluay>  ps'id  lor  by  a  |ire-(>nt 
made  befori'  they  are  begun.  Indeed,  whatever,  as  an  impost(»r, 
may  be  the  demerits  of  the  operator,  his  reward  may  generally 
be  said  to  be  fairly  earned  by  dial  of  corporal  labor. 

1  was  once  pres(>nt  at  a  performance  of  this  Uiud,  in  which 
the  patient  was  a  female  child  of  abotU  twelve  years  uf  age. 
Several  of  the  elder  chiefs  were  invited  to  the  scene  ;  and  the 
same  compliment  was  paid  to  myself,  on  account  of  the  medi- 
cal sUill  for  which  it  was  pleased  lo  give  nu;  credit. 

The  physician  (so  to  call  him)  seated  himself  on  the  ground  ; 
and  before  him,  on  a  new  stroud  blanket,  was  placcul  a  basin 
of  water,  in  which  were  three  bones,  the  larger  ones,  as  it 
appeared  to  me,  of  a  swan's  wing.  In  his  hand  he  had  his 
shLsk/f/uci,  or  rattle,  with  which  he  beat  time  to  his  nutdirine- 
song.  The  sick  t'.ild  lay  on  a  blanket,  near  the  physician. 
She  appeared  to  have  much  fever,  and  a  severe  oppression  of 
the  lungs,  breathing  with  difiiculty,  and  betraying  symptoms 
of  the  last  stage  of  consumption. 

After  singing  for  some  time,  the  physician  took  one  of  the 
bones  out  of  the  basin :  the  bone  was  hollow ;  and  one  end 
being  appli(Ml  to  the  breast  of  the  patient,  he  put  the  other  into 
his  mo\ith,  in  order  to  remove  the  disorder  by  suction.  Having 
persevered  in  this  as  long  as  he  thought  proper,  he  suddenly 
seemed  to  force  the  bone  into  his  mouth,  and  swallow  it.  He 
now  acted  the  part  of  one  sufFering  severe  pain  ;  but,  presently, 
findinir  relief,  he  made  a  long  speech,  and  after  this  returned 
to  singing,  and  to  tlie  accompaniment  of  his  rattle.  Willi  the 
latter,  during  his  song,  he  struck  his  head,  breast,  sides,  and 
backs  at  the  same  time  straining,  as  if  to  vomit  forth  the  bone. 

Relinquishing  this  attempt,  he  applied  himself  to  suction  a 
second  time,  and  with  the  second  of  the  three  bones ;  and  this 
also  he  soon  seemed  to  swallow. 

Upon  its  disappearance,  he  began  to  distort  himself  in  the 
most  frightful  manner,  using  every  gesture  which  could  convey 
the  idea  of  pain  ;  at  length  he  succeeded,  or  pretended  to  suc- 
ceed, in  throwing  up  one  of  the  bones.  This  was  lianded 
about  to  the  spectators,  and  strictly  examined;  but  nothing 
remarkable  could  be  discovered.  Upon  this,  he  went  back  to 
his  song  and  rattle  ;  and  after  some  lime  threw  up  the  second 
of  the  two  bones.  In  the  groove  of  this,  the  physician,  upon 
examination,  found,  and  displayed  to  all  present,  a  small  white 


t! 


I , 


i 


t  ; 


} 


»^ 


308 


ALEXANDER   HENRYS  CAPTIVITY. 


substance,  resemblinfr'a  piece  of  the  quill  of  a  feather,  It  was 
passed  round  the  rompany  from  one  to  the  other  ;  and  declared, 
by  the  physician,  to  be  the  thing  causing  the  disorder  of  his 
patient. 

The  multitude  believe  that  these  physicians,  whom  the 
French  i-nW  jo n^lmrs,  or  jugglers,  can  inflict  as  well  as  remove 
disorders.  Tiiey  believt?  that  by  drawing  the  figure  of  any 
person  in  sand  or  ashes,  or  on  clay,  or  by  considering  any 
object  as  the  figure  of  a  person,  and  then  pricking  it  with  a 
sharp  stick,  or  other  substance,  or  doing,  in  any  other  manner, 
that  which  done  to  a  living  body  would  cause  pain  or  injury, 
t^e  individual  represented,  or  supposed  to  be  represented,  will 
suffer  accordingly.  On  the  other  hand,  the  mischi-^'f  being 
done,  another  physician,  of  eipial  pretensions,  can  by  suction 
remove  it.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  operations  which  I 
have  described  were  not  successful  in  the  instance  referred  to; 
for,  on  the  day  after  they  had  taken  place,  the  girl  died. 

With  regard  to  flesh-wounds,  the  Indians  certainly  effect 
astonishing  cures.  Here,  as  above,  much  that  is  fantastic 
occurs ;  but  the  success  of  their  practice  evinces  something 
solid. 

At  the  Sault  de  Sainte-Marie  I  knew  a  man  who,  in  the 
result  of  a  quarrel,  received  the  stroke  of  an  axe  in  his  side. 
The  blow  was  so  violent,  and  the  axe  driven  so  deep,  that  the 
wretch  who  held  it  could  not  withdraw  it,  but  left  it  in  the 
wound,  and  fled.  Shortly  after,  the  man  was  found,  and 
brought  into  the  fort,  where  several  other  Indians  came  to  his 
assistance.  Among  these,  one,  who  was  a  physician,  imme- 
diately withdrew,  in  order  to  fetch  his  pencgusa?i,  or  medicine- 
bag,  with  which  he  soon  returned.  The  eyes  of  the  sufferer 
were  fixed,  his  teeth  closed,  and  his  case  apparently  desperate. 

The  physician  took  from  his  bag  a  small  portion  of  a  very 
white  substance,  resembling  that  of  a  bone  ;  this  lie  scraped 
into  a  little  water,  and  forcing  open  the  jaws  of  the  patient 
with  a  stick,  he  poured  the  mixture  down  his  throat.  What 
followed  was,  that  in  a  very  short  space  of  time  the  wounded 
man  moved  his  eyes  ;  and  beginning  to  vomit,  threw  up  a 
small  lump  of  clotted  blond. 

The  physician  now,  and  not  before,  examined  the  wound, 
from  which  I  could  see  the  breath  escape,  and  from  which  a 
part  of  the  omentum  depended.  This  the  physician  did  not 
set  about  to  restore  to  its  place,  but,  cutting  it  away,  minced 
it  into  small  pieces,  and  made  his  patient  swallow  it. 

The  man  was  then  carried  to  his  lodge,  where  I  visited  him 
daily.  By  the  sixth  day  he  was  able  to  walk  about ;  and 
within  a  month  he  grew  quite  well,  except  that  he  was  troubled 


ALEXANDER   HENRVS   CAPTIVITY. 


309 


r,  It  was 
[1  dct^lared, 
■tier  of  his 

kvhom  the 
as  remove 
re  of  any 
eriiiiT  any 
■  it,  with  a 
r  mandor, 
or  injury, 
Hitccl,  will 
li^'f  being 
by  suction 
i  which  I 
ferred  to; 
ied. 

nly  effect 
I  fantastic 
5omethinff 

tio,  in  the 
I  his  side. 
►,  that  the 
it  in  the 
und,  and 
me  to  his 
n,  imme- 
nedicine- 
9  sufferer 
esperate. 
of  a  very 
scraped 
e  patient 
What 
wounded 
2VV  up  a 

wound, 

which  a 

did  not 

,  minced 

ited  him 
ut ;  and 
troubled 


with  a  cough.     Twenty  years  after  his  misfortune  he  was  still 
alive. 

Another  man,  being  on  his  wintering-uronnd,  and  from 
home,  hunting  beaver,  was  crossiiiLT  a  b\ke,  covered  with 
smoolli  ice,  with  two  beavers  on  iiis  back,  when  his  fool  slipped, 
and  he  fell.  At  his  side,  in  his  b(>h,  wa'<  his  axe,  tli(>  blade  of 
which  came  upon  the  joint  of  his  wrist;  and,  the  weight  of 
his  body  coming  upon  the  blade,  his  hand  was  comi)letely 
separated  from  his  arm,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  piecc^  of 
the  skin.  He  had  to  walk  three  miles  to  his  lodge,  which  was 
thus  far  away.  The  skin,  which  alone  retained  his  hand  to 
his  arm,  he  cut  through,  wiih  the  same  axe  which  had  done 
the  rest;  and  fortunately  havinu:  <"'  !i  shirt,  he  took  it  off,  tore 
it  uj),  and  made  a  stronu;  ligature  al)ovt>  the  wrist,  so  as  in 
some  measure  to  avoid  the  loss  of  blond.  On  reaching  his 
lodge,  he  cured  the  wound  himself,  by  the  mere  use  of  simples. 
I  was  a  witness  to  its  perfect  healing. 

I  have  said  that  these  physicians,  ju^-glers,  or  practitioners 
of  pretended  sorcery,  are  supposed  to  be  capable  of  inflicting 
diseases;  and  I  may  add,  that  they  are  sometimes  themselves 
sufferers  on  this  account.  In  one  instance  I  saw  one  of  them 
killed,  by  a  man  who  charged  him  with  having  brought  his 
brother  to  death  by  maletic  arts.  The  accuser,  in  liis  rage, 
thrust  his  knife  into  the  belly  of  the  accused,  and  ripped  it 
open.  The  latter  caught  his  boweis  in  his  arms,  and  thus 
walked  toward  his  lodge,  gathering  them  up,  from  time  to 
time,  as  they  escaped  his  hold.  His  lodge  was  at  no  con- 
siderable distance,  and  he  reached  it  alive,  and  died  in  it. 

Our  next  encampment  was  on  the  island  of  Saint-Martin, 
off  Cape  Saint-Ignace,  so  called  from  the  Jesuit  mission  of 
Saint  Ignatius  to  the  Hurons,  formerly  established  there.  Our 
object  was  to  tish  for  sturgeon,  which  we  did  with  great  suc- 
cess ;  and  here,  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  plentiful  and  excellent 
supply  of  food,  we  remained  until  the  twentieth  day  of  Au- 
gust. At  this  time,  the  autumn  being  at  hand,  and  a  sure 
prospect  of  increased  security  from  hostile  Indians  afforded, 
Wawatam  proposed  going  to  his  intended  wintering-ground. 
The  removal  was  a  subject  of  the  greatest  joy  to  myself,  on 
account  of  the  frequent  insults,  to  which  I  had  still  to  submit, 
from  the  Indians  of  our  band  or  village,  and  to  esr^ape  from 
which  I  would  freely  have  gone  almost  anywhere.  At  our 
wintering-ground  we  were  to  be  alone  ;  for  the  Indian  families, 
in  the  countries  of  which  I  write,  separate  in  the  winter 
season,  for  the  convenience  as  well  of  subsistence  as  of  the 
chase,  and  re-associate  in  the  spring  and  summer. 

In  preparation,  our  first  business  was   to  sail  for  Michili- 


1 

I 
I 


t       7 


li 


310 


ALEXANDER   HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


mackiiiac,  where,  being  arrived,  we  procured  from  a  Canadian 
trader,  on  credit,  some  triflinjr  articles,  together  with  ammuni- 
tion, and  two  bushels  of  maize.  This  done,  we  steered  di- 
rectly for  lake  Michigan.  At  L'Arbre  Croche  we  stopped  one 
day  on  a  visit  to  the  Ottawas,  where  all  the  people,  and  par- 
ticularly Okiiiochumaki,  the  chief,  the  same  who  took  me  from 
the  Chippeways,  behaved  with  great  civility  and  kindness. 
The  chief  presented  me  with  a  bag  of  maize.  It  is  the 
Ottawas,  it  will  be  remembered,  wlio  raise  this  grain  for  the 
market  of  Michilimackinac. 

Leaving  L'Arbre  Croclie,  we  proceeded  direct  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river  Aux  Sables,  on  the  south  side  of  the  lake,  and 
distant  about  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  fort  Michili- 
mackinac. On  our  voyage,  we  passed  several  deep  })ays  and 
riv(M's,  and  I  found  the  banks  of  the  lake  to  consist  in  mere 
sands,  without  any  appearance  of  verdure  ;  the  sand  drifting 
from  one  hill  to  another,  like  snow  in  winter.  Hence,  all  the 
rivers,  which  here  entered  the  lake,  are  as  much  entitled  to 
the  epithet  of  satuly  as  that  (o  which  we  were  bound.  They 
are  also  distinguished  by  another  particularity,  always  observa- 
ble in  similar  situations.  The  current  of  the  stream  being 
met,  when  the  wind  is  contrary,  by  the  waves  of  the  lake,  it  is 
driven  back,  and  the  sands  of  the  shore  are  at  the  same  time 
washed  into  its  mouth.  In  consequence,  the  river  is  able  to 
force  a  ])assage  into  the  lake,  broad  only  in  proportion  to  its 
utmost  strength  ;  while  it  hollows  for  itself,  behind  the  sand- 
banks, a  basin  of  one,  two,  or  three  miles  across.  In  these 
rivers  we  killed  many  wild-fowl  and  beaver. 

To  kill  beaver,  we  used  to  go  several  miles  up  the  rivers, 
before  the  approach  of  night,  and  after  the  dusk  came  on  suffer 
the  canoe  to  drift  gently  down  the  current,  without  noise.  The 
beaver  in  this  part  of  the  evening  come  abroad  to  procure 
food,  or  materials  for  repairing  their  habitations;  and  as  they 
are  not  alarmed  by  the  canoe,  they  often  pass  it  within  gun- 
shot. 

While  we  thus  hunted  along  our  way,  I  enjoyed  a  personal 
freedom  of  which  I  had  been  long  deprived,  and  became  as 
expert  in  the  Indian  pursuits  as  the  Indians  themselves. 

On  entering  the  river  Aux  Sables,  Wawatam  took  a  dog, 
tied  its  feet  together,  and  threw  it  into  the  strern,  uttering, 
at  the  same  time,  a  long  prayer,  which  he  addressed  to  the 
Great  Spirit,  supplicating  his  blessing  on  the  chase,  and  his 
aid  in  the  support  of  the  family,  through  the  dangers  of  a  long 
winter.  Our  lodge  was  fifteen  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the 
stream.     The   principal  animals   which  the   country  afforded 


r 

r 


ALEXANDER  HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


311 


a  Canadian 
,h  ainnnmi- 
slecred  di- 
■;topped  one 
le,  and  par- 
ok  ine  iVorn 
1  kindness. 
ll  is  the 
rain  lor  the 

)  the  mouth 
e  lake,  and 
»rt  INlichili- 
:>p  bavs  and 
;ist  in  mere 
\ud  drifting 
jnce,  all  the 
1  entitled  to 
ind.  They 
ays  observa- 
tream  being" 
le  lake,  it  is 
e  same  time 
-r  is  able  to 
)ortion  to  its 
id  the  sand- 
In  these 

)  the  rivers, 
me  on  sufTer 
noise.  The 
to  procure 
md  as  they 
within  gun- 

l  a  personal 
I  became  as 
^Ives. 

took  a  dog, 
•n,  uttering, 
ssed  to  the 
ise,  and  his 
rs  of  a  long 
outh  of  the 
try  afforded 


were  the  stag  or  red  deer,  the  connnon  American  doer,  the 
bear,  raccoon,  Imavcr  and  marten. 

The  l)paver  feeds  in  preference  on  yoinig  wood  of  the  birch, 
aspen  and  poplar  tree,  (popiilus  ni^ra,  called  by  the  Canadians 
Hard,)  but  in  defect  of  these  on  any  other  tree,  those  of  the 
pine  and  Hr  kinds  excepted.  These  latter  it  einj)loys  only  for 
building  its  dams  and  houses.  In  wide  meadows,  when-  no 
wood  is  to  be  Ibund,  it  resorts,  for  all  its  purposes,  to  the  roots 
of  the  rush  and  water  lily.  It  consumes  great  quantities  of 
food,  wdiether  of  roots  or  wood  ;  and  hence  often  reduces 
itself  to  the  necessity  of  removintr  into  a  new  tpiartin*.  Its 
house  has  an  arched  dome-like  roof,  of  an  ellii)tical  tigure,and 
rises  from  three  to  four  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  water. 
It  is  always  entirely  surrounded  by  water;  but,  in  the  baidis 
adjacent,  the  animal  provides  holes  or  washes,  of  which  the 
entrance  is  below  the  surface,  and  to  which  it  retreats  on  the 
first  alarm. 

The  female  beaver  usually  produces  two  yoimg  at  a  time, 
but  not  unfrerpiently  more.  During  the  first  year  the  young 
reinain  with  their  parents.  In  the  second  they  occupy  an 
adjoining  apartment,  and  assist  in  building,  and  in  prociiring 
food.  At  two  years  old,  they  part,  and  build  houses  of  their 
own  ;  but  often  rove  about  for  a  considerable  time,  before  they 
fix  upon  a  spot.  There  are  beavers,  called  by  the  Indians  old 
bachelors,  wiio  live  by  themselves,  build  no  houses,  aiul  work 
at  no  dams,  but  shelter  themselves  in  holes.  The  usual 
method  of  taking  these  is  by  traps,  formed  of  iron,  or  logs,  and 
baited  with  brandies  of  poplar. 

According  to  the  Indians,  the  beaver  is  much  given  to  jealousy. 
If  a  strange  male  approaches  the  cabin,  a  battle  immediately 
ensues.  Of  this  the  female  remains  an  unconcerned  sj)ectator, 
careless  to  which  party  the  law  of  conrpiest  may  assiq-n  her. 
Among  the  beaver  which  we  killed,  those  who  were  with  me 
pretended  to  show  demonstrations  of  this  fact ;  some  of  the 
skins  of  the  males,  and  almost  all  of  the  older  ones,  hearing 
marks  of  violence,  while  none  were  ever  to  be  seen  on  the 
skins  of  the  females. 

The  Indians  add,  that  the  male  is  as  constant  as  he  is  jeal- 
ous, never  attaching  himself  to  more  than  one  female  ;  while 
the  female,  on  her  side,  is  always  fond  of  strangers. 

The  most  common  way  of  talviiiLT  the  beaver  is  that  of 
breaking  up  its  house,  which  is  done  with  trenching-tools,  dur- 
ing the  winter,  when  the  ice  is  strong  enough  to  allow  of 
approaching  them  ;  and  when,  also,  the  fur  is  in  its  most  valu- 
able state. 

Breaking  up  the  house,  however,  is  only  a  preparatory  step. 


ijr 


•i, 


312 


ALEXANDER  HENRY'S   CAPTTVITV. 


h ' 


i;     (       ? 


During  this  operation,  the  family  make  their  escape  to  one  or 
more  of  their  ii^as/ns.  These  are  to  be  discovered  by  striking 
the  ice  ak)ng'  the  bank,  and  where  tlie  hoU^s  are  a  hollow 
sound  is  returned.  AlU  r  discoverinc;'  and  searciiing  many  of 
these  in  vain,  we  often  found  the  whole  family  totrether,  in  the 
same  wash.  I  was  tauij'ht  occasionally  to  distinguisji  a  full 
wash  from  an  empty  one,  l)y  the  motion  of  the  water  above  its 
entrance,  occasioned  by  the  breathing  of  the  animals  concealed 
in  it.  From  the  Avashes  they  must  be  taken  out  with  the 
hands  ;  and  in  doing  this,  the  hutUer  sometimes  receives 
severe  wounds  from  their  teeth.  While  a  hunter,  I  thought, 
with  the  Indians,  that  the  beaver  flesh  was  very  good  ;  but 
after  that  of  the  ox  was  again  within  my  reach,  I  could  not 
relish  it.     The  tail  is  accounted  a  luxurious  morsel. 

Beavers,  say  the  Indians,  M'ere  formerly  a  people  endowed 
with  speech,  not  less  than  with  the  other  noble  faculties  they 
possess  ;  but  the  TJreat  Spirit  has  taken  this  away  from  theni, 
lest  they  should  grow  su])erior  in  understanding  to  mankind. 

The  raccoon  was  another  object  of  our  chase.  It  was  my 
practice  to  go  cut  in  the  evening,  with  dogs,  accompanied  by 
the  youngest  son  of  my  guardian,  to  hunt  this  animal.  The 
raccoon  never  leaves  its  hiding-place  till  after  sunset. 

As  soon  as  a  dog  falls  on  a  fresh  track  of  the  raccoon,  he 
gives  notice  by  a  cry,  and  immediately  pirsues.  His  barking 
enables  the  hunter  to  follow.  The  raccoon,  which  travels 
slowly,  and  is  soon  overtaken,  makes  for  a  tree,  on  which  he 
remains  till  shot. 

After  the  falling  of  the  snow,  nothing  more  is  necessary,  for 
taking  the  raccoon,  than  to  follow  the  track  of  his  feet.  In 
this  season,  he  seldom  leaves  his  habitation ;  and  he  never 
lays  up  any  food.  I  have  found  six  at  a  time,  in  the  hollow 
of  one  tree,  lying  upon  each  other,  and  nearly  in  a  torpid  state. 
In  more  than  one  instance,  I  have  ascertained  that  they  have 
lived  six  weeks  without  food.  The  mouse  is  their  principal 
prey. 

Raccoon  hunting  was  my  more  particular  and  daily  employ. 
I  usually  went  out  at  the  first  dawn  of  day,  and  seldom  returned 
till  sunset,  or  til!  I  had  laden  myself  with  as  many  animals  as 
I  could  carry.  By  degrees  I  became  familiarized  with  this 
kind  of  life  ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  idea,  of  which  I  could 
not  divest  my  mind,  that  I  was  living  among  savages,  and  for 
the  whispers  of  a  liiigering  hope,  that  I  should  one  day  be 
released  from  it — or  if  I  could  have  forgotten  that  I  had  ever 
been  otherwise  than  as  I  th*^>n  was — I  could  have  enjoyed  as 
much  happiness  in  this  as  in  any  other  situation. 

One  evening,  on   my  return  from  hunting,  I  found  the  fire 


i 


fori 

rani 

Th 

grc 

of 


prol 
skif 


ALEXANDER   HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


313 


n 


to  one  or 
,y  striking 

a  hollow 
r  many  ot 
icr,  in  the 
lisU  a   full 
r  above  its 

concealed 
,  with  the 
s  receives 

I  thought, 
good  ;  bill 

could  not 

e  endowed 
ulties  they 
from  them, 
mankind. 
It  was  my 
Bpanied  by 
imal.     The 

et. 

raccoon,  he 
His  barking 
nich   travels 

n  which  he 

ecessary,  for 
is  feet.  In 
(1   he   never 

II  the  hollow 
torpid  state. 

xt   they  have 
eir  principal 

;uly  employ. 
h)ni  returned 
^  animals  as 
ed  with  this 
vhich  I  conld 
iges,  and  for 
one  day  be 
at  1  had  ever 
ve  enjoyed  as 

[oiind  the  fire 


The 

Still 


put  out,  and  the  opening  in  the  top  of  the  Iddge  covered  over 
with  skins;  liy  this  means  excluding,  as  nui'dv  as  possible, 
external  light.  1  ftiriher  ubsorvod  that  tlu«  ashes  were  letnnv- 
ed  from  the  (Ire-placr,  mid  that  dry  saiid  was  spread  wIkto 
they  had  been.  Sonn  after,  a  (ire  was  made  williouisiib*  the 
cabin,  in  the  open  air,  and  a  kettle  hung  over  it  to  hoil. 

I  now  supjiosed  that  a  feast  was  in  pr^'jiaration.  Isupjiosed 
so  only,  for  it  woukl  have  been  indecorous  to  inquire  into 
the  meaning  of  what  I  saw.  No  person,  among  the  Indians 
themselves,  would  use  this  freedom.  Good  breeding  requires 
that  the  spectator  should  patiently  wail  the  result. 

As  soon  as  the  darkness  of  night  had  arrived,  the  family, 
including  myself,  were  invited  into  the  lodge.  I  was  now 
requested  not  to  speak,  as  a  feast  was  about  to  be  given  to  the 
dead,  whose  spirits  delight  in  uninterrupted  silence. 

As  we  entered,  each  was   presented    with  liis    wooden   dish 
and  spoon,  after  receiving   which  we   seated   ourselves, 
door  was  next  shut,  and  we  remained  in  perfect  darkness 

The  master  of  the  family  was  the  master  of  the  feast. 
in  the  dark,  he  asked  ev(>ry  one,  by  turn,  for  his  dish,  and  put 
into  eacli  two  boiled  ears  of  maize.  The  whole  being  served, 
he  began  to  speak.  In  his  discourse,  wliich  lasted  half  an 
hour,  h(!  called  upon  the  manes  of  his  deceased  relations  and 
friends,  beseeching  them  to  be  present,  to  assist  him  in  the 
chase,  and  to  partake  of  the  food  which  he  had  prepared  for 
them.  When  he  had  ended,  we  proceeded  to  eat  our  maize, 
which  we  did  without  other  noise  than  what  was  occasioned 
by  our  teeth.  The  maize  was  not  half  boiled,  and  it  took  me 
an  hour  to  consume  my  share.  I  was  lec] nested  imt  to  break 
the  splices,  [rob,]  as  this  would  bo  displeasing  to  the  departed 
spirits  of  their  friends. 

When  all  was  ea'en,  Wawatam  made  another  speech,  with 
which  the  ceremony  ended.  A  new  fire  was  kindled,  with 
fresh  sparks,  froni  flint  and  steel  ;  and  the  pipes  being  smoked, 
the  spikes  \vere  carefully  buried,  in  a  hole  made  in  the  ground 
for  that  purpose,  within  the  lodge.  This  done,  the  whole 
i^arnily  l)egan  a  dance,  Wa^vatam  singimr,  and  l)eating  a  drum. 
The  dance  continued  the  greater  part  of  the  night,  to  the 
great  pleasure  of  the  lodge.  Tlie  night  of  the  feast  was  that 
of  the  first  day  of  November. 

On  the  twentieth  of  December,  we  took  an  account  of  the 
produce  of  our  hunt,  and  found  that  we  had  a  hundred  beaver 
skins,  as  many  raccoons,  and  a  large  quantity  of  dried  veni- 
son ;  all  which  was  secured  from  the  wolves,  by  being  placed 
upon  a  scaffold. 

A  hunting  excursion,  into  the   interior   of  the   country,  was 

27 


\i\ 


211 


ALF.XANDKR    IIHXRY'S   CAniVITY 


rpsnlv<>(l  on  ;  and  early  l-'io  next  iiioniiiiLT  tlio  l)Uii(llcs  wrrf 
Iliad''  u|)  b\  llie  woiiicii  lor  each  person  to  carry.  1  remarked 
lliat  ilu!  bmidle  irivcii  to  inc  Avas  the  lie'hlcst,  and  those  carried 
l)y  ill"  women  the  lar;n'st  and  heaviest  of  the  whole. 

On  the  lirst  day  ol  our  mandi,  we  advanced  ahout  twenty 
miles,  and  iIkmi  '.'ncaniped.  Beiny^  fcomewhal  I'ulii^ued,  1  could 
not  himt  ;  but  Wawatani  killed  a  stat^,  not  far  I'rom  our  eii- 
campinenl.  The  nt.'Xt  niornin;,''  wo  moved  our  lodue  to  the 
carcass.  At  this  station  we  remained  two  days,  employed  in 
dryinuf  the  meat.  The  method  was  to  cut  it  into  slices,  of  the 
thickness  of  a  steak,  and  then  hanir  it  over  the  fire  in  the 
.smoke.  On  the  third  day  we  removed,  and  marched  till  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

AVhile  the  women  were  busy  in  ercctincf  and  preparing  the 
lodtres,  1  took  my  ii;un  and  strolled  away,  telling-  Wawatani 
that  1  intended  to  look  out  for  some  fresh  meat  for  .supper.  He 
answered,  that  l\e  would  do  the  same  ;  and  on  this  we  both 
left  the  encampment,  in  different  directions. 

The  sun  being  visible,  I  entertained  no  fear  of  losing  my 
way  ;  but  in  following  several  tracks  of  animals,  in  moment- 
ary expectation  of  falling  in  with  the  game,  I  proceeded  to  a 
considerable  distance,  and  it  "•'as  not  till  near  stmset  that  I 
thonght  of  returning.  The  skj,too,  had  become  overcast,  and 
I  was  therefore  left  without  the  sun  for  my  guide.  In  this  situ- 
ation, I  walked  as  fast  as  I  could,  ahvays  supposing  myself  to 
be  approaching  our  encampment,  till  at  length  it  became  so 
dark  that  1  ran  against  the  trees. 

I  became  convinced  that  I  was  lost ;  and  I  was  alarmed  by 
the  reflection  that  1  was  in  a  country  entirely  strange  to  me, 
and  in  danger  from  strange  Indians.  With  the  flint  of  my 
gun  I  made  a  lire,  and  tb.en  laid  me  down  to  bleep.  In  the 
night,  it  rained  hard.  1  awoke  cold  and  wet ;  and  as  soon  as 
light  appeared,  I  recommenced  my  journey,  sometimes  walk- 
ing and  sometimes  running,  unknowing  wdiere  to  go,  bewil- 
dered, and  like  a  madman. 

Toward  evening,  I  readied  the  border  of  a  large  lake,  of 
which  I  could  scarcely  discern  the  opposite  shore.  I  had 
never  heard  of  a  lake  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  there- 
fore felt  myself  removed  further  than  ever  from  the  object  of 
my  pursuit.  To  tread  back  my  steps  appeared  to  be  the  most 
likely  means  of  delivering  myself;  and  1  accordingly  deter- 
mined to  turn  my  face  directly  from  the  lake,  and  keep  this 
direction  as  nearly  as  I  could. 

A  heavy  snow  began  to  descend,  and  night  soon  afterward 
came  on.  On  this,  1  stoj)ped  and  made  a  Hre  ;  and  stripping 
a  tree  of  its  sheet  of  bark,  lay  down  under  it  to  shelter  me  from 


^ 


lullcs  wn-r 
1  remarked 
losc  curried 
le. 

houl  twenty 
lied,  1  could 
•((111  our  eu- 
odjjce  to  the 
L'luployed  ill 
lices,  of  llic 
lire  ill  the 
[led   till  two 

cparinfT  the 
g  Wawataiu 
supper.  He 
his  we   both 

f  losirig  my 
in  moment- 
ocecded  to  a 
unset  that  I 
;)vcrcast,  and 
In  this  situ- 
ng  myself  to 
t  became  so 

alarmed  by 
anire    to   me, 

flint  of  my 
eep.  In  the 
d  as  soon  as 
stimes  walk- 
to   go,  bewil- 

arge  lake,  of 
lore.  I  had 
w  and  there- 
the  oiiject  of 
•  lie  the  most 
liiigly  deter- 
md  keep  this 

3on  afterward 

nd    stripping 

elter  me  from 


ALEXANDER  IIEMIVS  CAPTIVITV. 


315 


the  snow.  A.I1  night,  at  small  distances,  tlie  wolves  howled 
around,  and  to  iiie  seemed  to  be  ac(pj!iiiited  with  my  mislor- 
luiie. 

Amid  thoughts  the  nmsi  distracted,  1  was  abU;  at  Icugih  to 
fall  iisleep  ;  but  it  was  not  long  before  1  awoke,  refreshed,  and 
wondi-ring  at  the  terror  to  whicii  I  had  yielded  myself.  That 
I  could  really  have  wanted  the  means  of  recovering  my  way, 
ap[)eared  to  me  almost  incredible,  and  the  recollection  ol  it 
like  a  dream,  or  as  a  circumstance  which  must  Inive  proceeded 
from  the  loss  of  my  senses.  Had  this  not  happened,  1  could 
never,  as  I  now  thought,  have  sutlered  so  lon-.r,  without  calling 
to  mind  the  lessons  whiidi  I  had  received  from  mv  Indian 
friend,  for  the  very  purjiose  of  beinii'  u>rful  to  me  in  diliicnl- 
ties  of  this  kind.  Thcoo  were,  that,  generally  speaking,  the 
lops  of  pine  trees  lean  ti^ward  the  rising  of  the  sun  ;  that  moss 
grows  toward,  the  roots  of  trees  on  the  side  which  faec  s  the 
north  ;  and  that  the  limbs  of  trees  arc  most  numerous,  and  larg- 
est, on  that  whicli  faces  the  south. 

Determined  to  direct  my  feet  by  these  marks,  and  persuaded 
that  I  should  thus,  sooner  or  later,  reach  lake  Aliehigan,  which 
i  reckoned  to  bo  distant  about  sixty  miles,  I  began  my  march 
at  break  of  day.  I  had  not  taken,  nor  wished  to  take,  any 
nourishment  since  I  left  the  encamiiment ;  I  had  with  me  uiy 
gun  and  ammunition,  and  was  therefore  under  no  anxiety  in 
regard  to  food.      The  snow  lay  about  half  a  foot  in  depth. 

My  eyes  were  now  employed  upon  the  trees.  When  their 
tops  leaned  (lifTerent  ways,  I  looked  to  the  moss,  or  to  the 
branches;  and  by  connecting  one  with  another,  I  (oiind  the 
means  of  travelling  with  some  degree  of  conlideiice.  At  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  sun,  to  my  inexpressible  joy,  broke 
from  the  clouds,  and  I  had  now  no  fui'ther  need  of  examining 
the  trees. 

In  going  down  th(^  side  of  a  lofty  hill,  I  saw  a  herd  of  red 
deer  approaching.  Desirous  of  killing  one  of  them  for  food, 
I  hid  myself  in  the  bushes,  and  on  a  large  one  coming  near, 
presented  my  piece,  which  missed  fire,  on  account  of  the  jirim- 
ing  having  been  wetted.  The  animals  v.-alke(l  along,  without 
taking  the  least  alarm  ;  and,  having  reloade(l  my  gun,  I  fol- 
lowed them,  and  presented  a  second  time.  But  now  a  disaster 
of  the  heaviest  kind  had  liefallen  me;  for,  on  attempting  to 
fire,  I  found  that  I  had  lost  the  cock.  I  had  previously  lost 
the  screw  by  whicli  it  was  fastened  to  the  lock  ;  and  to  prevent 
this  from  being  lost  also,  I  had  tied  it  in  its  placi',  with  a  lea- 
ther string.  The  lock,  to  prevent  its  catching  in  the  boughs, 
I  had  carried  under  my  inolton  coat. 

Of  all  the  sullerings  which  I  had  experienced,  this  seemed 


« 


I  i! 


310 


ALEXANDER   HENRY'S   CArTlVITY 


il  ^^^ 


to  mc  the  most  mhitc.  I  was  in  a  straiiL^i'  countrVi  fin'l  know 
not  how  far  1  had  to  <jco.  I  h;i(l  hc-'ii  three  clays  without  iood; 
I  was  now  without  the  means  nl'  prucuriiii,''  niy>'ell  either  food 
or  fire.  Despair  had  ahnost  ovei  powered  uie  ;  hut  I  soon  rc- 
.sifTued  myself  into  the  liands  of  that  Providence,  whose  ana 
liad  so  often  saved  me,  and  returned  on  my  traek,  in  seartdi  of 
what  I  had  lost.  My  search  was  in  vain,  and  1  resumed  my 
course,  wet,  cold  and  hunLcry,  and  almost  without  cloth inn^. 

The  sun  was  settinuf  last,  when  1  descended  a  hill,  at  llic 
bottom  of  which  was  a  small  lake,  entirely  froz'ii  over.  On 
drawinir  near,  1  saw  a  heaver  loduc  in  the  middle,  oU'erinij^ 
some  faint  prospect  of  food  ;  hut  1  found  it  already  broken  up. 
While  I  looiced  at  it,  it  suddenly  occurred  to  me  that  I  had 
seen  it  befor('  ;  and  turninij  my  eyes  round  the  place,  1  dis- 
covered a  snudl  tree  which  I  had  mytelf  cut  down,  in  the 
autumn,  when,  in  comj)any  with  my  friends,  I  had  taken  the 
beaver.  1  was  no  longer  at  a  loss,  hut  knew  both  the  distance 
and  the  route  to  the  encampment.  The  latter  was  only  to  fol- 
low the  course  of  a  small  stream  ef  water,  u'hich  ran  from  the 
encampment  to  the  lake  on  which  1  stood.  An  hour  before,  I 
had  thought  myself  the  most  miserable  of  men  ;  and  now  I 
leaped  for  joy,  and  called  myself  the  happiest. 

The  whole  of  the  niyht,  and  throuirh  all  the  succeeding-  day, 
I  walked  up  the  rivulet,  and  at  sutiset  reached  the  encampment, 
where  I  was  received  witli  the  warmest  expressions  of  pleasure 
by  the  family,  by  whom  I  had  been  given  up  for  lost,  after  a 
long  and  vain  searcb  for  me  in  the  woods. 

Some  days  elapsed,  durmg  whicb  I  rested  myself,  and  re- 
cruited my  strength  ;  after  this,  I  resumed  the  chase,  secure 
that,  as  the  snow  had  now  fallen,  I  could  always  return  by  the 
way  I  went. 

In  the  course  of  the  month  of  January,  I  hai)pened  to  ob- 
serve that  the  trunk  of  a  very  large  pine  tree  was  much  torn 
by  the  claws  of  a  bear,  n>ade  both  in  going  up  and  down.  On 
further  examination,  I  saw  that  there  was  a  large  opening  in 
the  upper  part,  near  which  the  smaller  i^ranches  were  broken. 
From  these  marks,  and  from  the  additional  circumstance  that 
there  were  no  tracks  on  the  snow,  there  Avas  reason  to  believe 
that  a  bear  lay  concealed  in  the  tree. 

On  returning  to  the  lodge,  I  communicated  my  discovery; 
and  it  was  agreed  that  all  the  family  should  go  together  in  the 
morning,  to  assist  in  cutting  down  the  tree,  the  girth  of  which 
was  not  less  than  three  fathom.  The  women  at  first  opposed 
the  undertaking,  because  our  axes,  being  only  of  a  pound  and 
a  half  weight,  were  not  well  adapted  to  so  heavy  a  labor ;  but 
the  hope  of  finding  a  large  bear,  and  obtaining  from  its  ^    a 


Yi' 


ALKXANDEll   IIENRVS   ("ATTIVITY. 


317 


,  an'l  know 
iihoui  food; 

riilicr  food 
t  I  soon  rc- 

wliose  aria 
II  sciiiTh  of 
osuiiK'd  my 
lotliiiiij. 

liill,  ill  the 
1  over.  On 
Ik',  olibring 

broken  up. 

lliiil  I  liad 
ilacc,  1  dis- 
)\vn,  ill  the 
1  taken  the 
the  distance 

only  to  lol- 
an  from  the 
)ur  before,  I 

and  now  I 

eedino-  day, 

ncampment, 

of  pleasure 

lost,  after  a 

elf,  and  re- 
use, secure 
turn  by  the 

lened  to  ob- 
much  torn 
down.  On 
opening  in 
ere  broken, 
stance  that 
n  to  believe 

discovery ; 

ther  in  the 
th  of  which 
rst  opposed 

pound  and 

labor ;  but 
cm  its  ^     a 


great  quantity  of  oil,  an  article  at  the  time  much  wanted,  ;il 
length  prevailed. 

Accordingly,  in  the  morniiiL^",  we  Mirroiinded  the  tree,  botji 
men  and  women,  as  many  at  a  time  as  could  convenieoily  woilc 
at  it  ;  and  her(>  we  toiled  like  bvaver  till  the  Min  went  down. 
This  day's  work  carried  us  about  half  way  through  the  trunk  : 
and  the  next  morning  we  renewed  the  attack,  continuini;-  it  till 
about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  tree  fdi  to  the 
ground.  For  a  few  minutes,  everything  r(.'mained  (|uiet,  and  1 
feared  that  all  our  expeciaii<uis  were  disappointed;  but  as  I 
advanced  to  the  opening,  there  cani(>  out,  to  the  great  satisfac- 
tion of  all  our  party,  a  bivir  of  extraordinary  size,  which,  before 
she  had  proceeded  many  yards,  I  shot. 

The  bear  bcinu:  dead,  all  my  assistants  ajiproached.  and  all, 
but  more  particularly  my  old  mother,  (as  1  was  wont  to  call 
her,)  took  his  head  in  their  hands,  stroking  and  kissing  it  seve- 
ral times  ;  begging  a  thousand  pardons  for  taking  away  her 
life;  calling  her  their  relation  and  grandmother;  and  re(juest- 
ing  her  not  to  lay  the  fault  upon  them,  since  it  was  truly  an 
Englishman  that  had  put  her  to  death. 

This  ceremony  was  not  of  long  duration  and  if  it  was  I 
that  killed  their  grandmother,  they  were  not  themselves  behind- 
hand in  what  remained  to  be  performed.  The  skin  being  taken 
ofT,  we  fornd  the  fat  in  several  places  six  inches  deep.  This, 
being  divided  into  two  parts,  loaded  two  persons  ;  and  the  flesh 
parts  were  as  much  as  four  persons  could  carry.  In  all,  the 
carcass  must  have  exceeded  five  hundred  weight. 

As  soon  as  we  reached  the  lodge,  the  bear's  head  was  adorn- 
ed with  all  the  trinkets  in  the  possession  of  the  family,  such 
as  silver  arm-bands  and  wrist-bands,  and  belts  of  wampum, 
and  then  laid  upon  a  scaflbld,  set  up  for  its  reception,  within 
the  lodge.  Near  the  nose  was  placed  a  large  quantity  of  to- 
bacco. 

The  next  morning  no  sooner  appeared  than  preparations 
were  made  for  a  feast  to  the  manes.  The  lodge  was  cleaned 
and  swept ;  and  the  head  of  the  bear  lifted  up,  and  a  new  stroud 
blanket,  which  had  never  been  used  before,  spread  under  it. 
The  pipes  were  now  lit ;  and  Wawatam  blew  tobacco  smoke 
into  the  nostrils  of  the  bear,  telling  me  to  do  the  same,  and 
thus  appease  the  anger  of  the  bear,  on  account  of  my  having 
killed  her.  I  endeavored  to  persuade  my  bciiefacior  and 
friendly  adviser  that  she  no  longer  had  any  life,  and  assured 
him  that  I  was  under  no  apprehension  tioni  her  displeasure  ; 
but  the  first  proposition  obtained  no  credit,  and  the  second  gave 
but  little  satisfaction. 

At  length,  the  feast  being  ready,  Wawatam  commenced  a 
27* 


4 


■lit 


318 


ALi:xAN[)i:u  iil;m:v\s  cai'tivitv 


I  i 


li 


speech,  rcsciuhlinir  in  niuiiy  lluii<^s  liis  iuldri'ss  to  tlic  maiios 
of  his  relations  ami  d'^piuMcl  coinpuniniis ;  l»i;t  liavini^^  this 
peculiarity,  that   hu    here  ck-ploriHl   the   nuceasilv  under  which 


ly  unci 
lie   re I 


men  hihorcd  thus  to  destroy  tiieir  fricinls.  He  represciuod, 
however,  that  the  misfortune  was  unavoidahh',  sim-c  without 
doint(  so  they  could  hy  no  means  subsist.  The  speech  ended, 
we  all  ate  heartily  of  the  bear's  flesh  ;  and  oven  the  head  itself, 
after  remaining  three  days  on  the  scallold,  was  put  into  the 
kettle. 

It  is  only  the  female  bear  that  nuikes  her  winter  lodi^Mng  in 
the  iip{)er  parts  of  trees,  a  practice  by  which  her  youn<j  are 
secured  from  the  attacks  of  wolves  and  other  animals.  She 
brings  forth  in  the  winter  season  ;  and  remains  in  her  lodge 
till  the  cubs  have  gained  some  strength. 

The  male  always  lodges  in  the  ground,  under  the  roots  of 
trees.  He  takes  to  this  habitation  as  soon  as  the  snow  falls, 
and  remains  there  till  it  has  disaj)peared.  The  Indians  remark 
that  the  bear  comes  out  in  the  spring  with  the  same  fat  which 
he  carried  in  in  the  autumn,  but  after  exercise  of  only  a  few 
days  becomes  lean.  Excepting  for  a  short  part  of  the  season, 
the  male  lives  constantly  alone. 

The  fat  of  our  bear  was  melted  down,  and  the  oil  filled  six 
porcupine  skins.  A  part  of  the  meat  was  cut  into  strips  and 
fire-dried,  after  which  it  was  put  into  the  vessels  containing  the 
oil,  where  it  remained  in  perfect  preservation  until  the  middle 
of  summer. 

February,  in  the  country  and  by  the  peoi)le  where  and  among 
whom  I  was,  is  called  the  Moon  of  Hard  or  Crusted  Snow; 
for  now  the  snow  can  bear  a  man,  or  at  least  dogs,  in  pursuit 
of  animals  of  the  chase.  At  this  season,  the  stag  is  very  suc- 
cessfully hunted,  his  feet  breaking  through  at  every  :tep,  and 
the  crust  upon  the  snow  cutting  liis  kgs  with  its  sharp  edges 
to  the  very  bone.  He  is  consecpiently,  in  this  distress,  an  easy 
prey;  and  it  frequently  happened  that  we  killed  twelve  in  the 
short  space  of  two  hours.  By  this  means  we  were  soon  put 
into  possession  of  four  thousand  weight  of  dried  venison,  which 
was  to  be  carried  on  our  backs,  along  with  all  the  rest  of  our 
wealth,  for  seventy  miles,  the  distance  of  our  encampment 
from  that  part  of  the  lake  shore  at  which  in  the  autumn  we 
left  our  canoes.  This  journey  it  was  our  nt;xt  business  to  per- 
form. 

Our  venison  and  furs  and  peltries  were  to  be  disposed  of  at 
Michilimackinac,  and  it  was  now  the  season  for  carrying  them 
to  market.  The  women  therefore  prepared  our  loads  ;  and 
the  morning  of  departure  being  come,  we  set  off  at  daybreak, 
and  continued  our  march  till  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 


ALEXANDEU    IIENRV  S  CAPTIVITY. 


310 


)  thi>  mniics 
Kiviiiif  ibis 
luler  which 
•I'pri'sciUod, 
lice  wiihoui 
L'ci'h  I'lided, 
!  head  itself, 
)ut  into  the 


r  lo(lf(ing  in 
r  youii<i:  are 
lUiiLs.  She 
in  her  lodge 


ihe  roots  of 
;  snow  falls, 
ians  remark 
le  fat  which 
'  only  a  few 
the  season, 

oil  filled  six 

0  strips  and 
titaining  the 

1  the  middle 

;  and  among 
sted  Snow ; 
I,  in  pursuit 
is  very  suc- 
ry  f  tep,  and 
sharp  edges 
•CSS,  an  easy 
ivelve  in  the 
re  soon  put 
lison,  which 
!  rest  of  our 
jncanjpment 
autumn  we 
mess  to  per- 

sposed  of  at 

rrying  them 

loads  ;   and 

at  daybreak, 

afternoon. 


When;  We  stoppeil  we  crtH'tcd  a  si-ad'old.  on  \vhich  Wf  depo- 
sited the  bundles  we  liitd  broii^^ht,  and  rctiiriifd  to  our  rin-anip- 
ment,  which  wo  reached  in  th«'  evening,  in  the  morning,  we 
carried  fresh  loads,  which  beint:  deposited  with  the  rest,  wo 
returned  a  sci'ond  time  in  the  e\  ning.  This  we  repeated,  till 
all  was  forv.'ardt'd  one  stai^n'.  Then,  removing  our  Iodide  to 
the  place  of  deposit,  wo  carried  our  iroods,  with  the  same  patient 
toil,  a  second  stage ;  and  so  on,  till  wc  were  at  no  great  dis- 
tance from  the  shores  of  the  lake. 

Arrived  here,  we  turned  our  attention  to  sugar-makinL":,  the 
management  of  which,  as  1  have  before  related,  belonu:s  to  the 
women,  the  men  cutting  wood  for  the  fires,  and  huniint.'  and 
fishing.  In  the  midst  of  this,  we  were  joined  by  several  lodges 
of  Indians,  most  of  whom  were  of  the  family  to  which  I  be- 
longed, and  had  wintered  near  us.  The  lands  belonged  to  this 
family,  and  it  had  thiM'efore  the  exclusive  rijjht  to  bunt  on 
them.  This  is  accordinu;  to  the  custom  of  the  peopb- ;  for 
each  family  has  its  own  lands.  I  was  treated  very  civilly  by 
all  the  lodges. 

Our  society  had  been  a  short  time  enlarged  by  this  arrival 
of  our  friends,  when  an  accident  occurred  which  filled  all  the 
village  with  anxiety  and  sorrow.  A  little  child,  beloniring  to 
one  of  our  neighbors,  fell  into  a  kettle  of  boiling  syrup.  It 
was  instantly  snatched  out,  but  with  little  hope  of  its  recovery. 

So  long,  however,  as  it  lived,  a  continual  feast  was  observed  ; 
and  this  was  made  to  the  Great  Spirit  and  Master  of  Life,  that 
he  might  be  pleased  to  save  and  heal  the  child.  At  this  feast 
I  was  a  constant  guest ;  and  often  foutid  diificulty  in  eating 
the  large  quantity  of  food  which,  on  such  occasions  as  these, 
is  put  upon  each  man's  dish.  The  Indians  accustom  them- 
selves both  to  eat  much  and  to  fast  much  with  facility. 

Several  sacrifices  were  also  oflcred  ;  among  which  were 
dogs,  killed  and  hung  upon  the  tops  of  poles,  with  the  addition 
of  Stroud  blankets  and  other  articles.  These  also  were  tjiven 
to  the  Great  Spirit,  in  hunn)le  hope  that  he  would  give  elhcacy 
to  the  medicines  employed. 

The  child  died.  To  preserve  the  body  from  the  wolves,  it 
was  placed  upon  a  scatlbld,  where  it  rcinained  till  wl  .vent  to 
the  lake,  on  the  border  of  which  was  the  burial-ground  of  the 
family. 

On  our  arrival  there,  which  happened  in  the  beginning  of 
April,  I  did  not  fail  to  attend  the  funeral.  The  grave  was 
made  of  a  large  size,  and  the  whole  of  the  inside  lined  with 
birch  bark.  On  the  bark  was  laid  the  body  of  the  child,  ac- 
companied with  an  axe,  a  pair  of  snow-shoes,  a  small  kettle, 
several  pairs  of  common  shoes,  its  own  strings  of  beads,  and, 


f: 


^i! 


I'M 


ii 


320 


ALEXANDEIl   HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


'    ' 


bccuiiso  it  wn.s  ii  i,Mrl,  :i  carryiiiui'-k'li.  ami  a  puddK'.  TIk-  ket- 
tle was  (illi'il  wiilj  inc'iit. 

All  ilii.s  was  aifaiii  covcrt'il  wiili  hark  ;  and  al  al)oiit  two  fret 
iicaifi'  ilic  siirtari',  Iol'^s  witc  laid  jnrn^s,  and  tlirx-  aL*".'!!!!  cov- 
orcd  wiili  bai'U,  x)  llial  llic  carili  iniulit  l)y  no  means  fall  ii[)()i) 
the  ct»r|)se. 

T\\v  last  act  licfori'  the  liurial  performed  liy  'li"  metlier, 
cryinir  ovt.-r  the  dead  liudy  (»f  Iier  child,  was  tluit  »d'  l.'dvinpf 
from  it  a  locli  itf  hair  lor  a  memorial.  While  she  did  this  J 
eiulenvorod  to  consolo  her,  hy  olit'rinir  the  nsnal  arirun.cnts  ; 
that  the  fljild  was  happy  in  heiiig  ndeased  from  the  miseries  of 
this  present  life,  and  that  she  should  forliear  to  erjcve,  hecaisc 
it  woiilil  be  restored  to  her  in  anotlu'r  world,  h;ippy  and  ever- 
iastini(.  She  answered  that  she  knew  it,  and  that  hy  thf>  lock 
of  hair  she  should  discover  her  daui^diter,  for  she  would  take 
it  with  her.  in  this  she  alluded  to  the  tlay  when  some  pious 
liaiid  would  place  in  iier  own  er;ive,  aloni,''  with  the  carry iufjf- 
belt  and  paddle,  this  liilli;  reli(',  hallowed  by  maternal  t  'ars. 

I  have  freipieiitly  iiupiired  into  the  ideas  and  opituons  of 
the  Indians  in  reirard  to  futurity,  and  always  found  tha'  they 
were  somewhat  dillerent  in  dill'erenl  individuals. 

Some  suppose  their  souls  to  remain  in  thi.s  world,  althouL^h 
invisible  to  iiuman  eye.s  ;  and  capable,  themselves,  oi  seeing 
and  heariuijf  tiieir  friends,  and  also  of  assisting  them,  in  mo- 
ments of  distress  and  danger. 

Others  dismiss  from  tlie  mortal  scene  the  unembodied  spirit, 
and  send  it  to  a  distant  world  or  country,  in  which  it  receives 
reward  or  punishment,  according  to  the  life  which  it  has  led 
in  its  prior  state.  Those  who  have  lived  virtuously  are  tranrs- 
ported  into  a  pli;ce  abounding  with  c  .cry  luxury,  with  deer 
and  all  other  animals  of  the  woods  and  water,  and  where  the 
earth  produces,  in  their  greatest  perf(!Ction,  all  its  sweetest 
fruits.  While,  on  the  other  hand,  those  who  have  violated  or 
neglected  the  duties  of  this  life,  are  removed  to  a  barren  soil, 
where  they  wander  up  and  down,  among  rocks  and  morasses, 
and  are  stung  by  gnats  a-  large  as  pigeons. 

While  we  romai)ied  on  the  border  of  the  lake  a  watch  was 
kept  evvry  night,  in  the  appreliension  of  a  speedy  atlacl:  from 
the  English,  who  were  expected  to  avenge  the  massacre  of 
Michiliinackinac.  The  immediate  grounds  of  this  apprehen- 
sion were  the  constant  dreams,  to  this  effect,  of  the  more  aged 
women.  I  endeavored  to  persuade  them  that  nothing  of  the 
kind  would  take  place  ;   but  their  feurs  were  not  to  b(;  subdued. 

Amid  these  alarms,  there  came  a  report  concerning  a  real 
though  less  formidable  enemy  discovered  in  our  neighborhood. 
This  was  a  panther,  wuicli  one  of  our  young  men  Jiad  seen, 


ALKXANDER   HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


321 


'I'lic  kct- 

•  III  two  foot 
iin-jiiii  cov- 
s  I'm  1 1  upon 

111'  iiiollior, 
•  •I  i.-'lvinpf 
■  (Ik!  iliis  J 
PU'Mii.ciii.s  : 
tiiiscrii's  of 
ve,  Ix.'Cix.isc 

■  !UI(I    CVfT- 

jy  ili(*  lock 
•vould  lake 
ioiiK'  pious 
'  ciirryiiii^- 
iil  t  'ars. 
pillions  of 
ttia'  ihoy 

,  nlthouirh 
ol'  soc'iiig 
in.  in  nio- 

licd  spirit, 
il  rei'oives 
it  has  led 
are  trans- 
wit  Ii  deer 
where  the 
sweetest 
iohited  or 
arreii  soil, 
morasses, 

vatch  was 
lac!:  from 
issacrc  of 
apprehcn- 
nore  aged 
no  of  the 
subdued, 
inii-  a  real 
hborhood. 
had  seen, 


and  wliicdi  animal  soiricliines  attacks  and  carries  away  th(> 
Indian  children.  Our  camp  was  immediately  on  thi-  ah-ri,  and 
we  set  od'  into  tlm  woods,  alxtut  twenty  in  niimhrr.  We  hiid 
not  proceeded  more  than  a  mile  hcfore  the  do^s  found  the  pan- 
ther, and  pursued  him  to  a  tree,  on  which  he  was  >iiot.  He 
was  of  a  larei;  >i/e. 

On  th(!  iwenty-lilih  of  April  we  emharked  for  Alichilimacki- 
nac.  At  La  Clrande  Traverse  wo  met  a  larire  parly  (»f  Indians, 
who  appc;ire(l  to  lahnr,  like  onr>elves.  under  coii>ider;ihle 
alarm;  and  who  diire(l  proceed  no  furiiier,  le-t  they  should  he 
destroyed  hy  the  Eniijish.  Frecpietil  couiit'ils  of  the  united 
bands  were  held;  and  interroiraiions  were  conti-nnally  [ml  to 
mysidf  as  to  whetlier  or  not  I  knew  ol  any  (ie>in-ii  to  attack 
them.  1  found  that  they  believtHJ  il  possible  for  me  to  have  a 
foreknowlotlLTe  of  events,  and  to  be  iuturmed  by  dr(\'ims  of  all 
thiti'.ys  doinif  al  a  distance. 

J*rotesi;iiions  of  my  ii>norance  were  received  witli  but  iillle 
salisfaciion,  and  incurnM  the  suspicion  of  a  desiirn  to  concc'al 
my  knowledufe.  On  this  account,  therefore,  or  because  I  saw 
them  t(M"mented  with  fears  which  had  iioiliing  but  imae-inatioti 
to  rest  upon,  I  toid  them,  at  Icntith,  that  1  knew  there  was  no 
enemy  to  insult  ihem  :  and  tfiat  thoy  loii^'ht  proceed  to  Michili- 
mackinac  without  danger  from  the  English.  I  further,  and 
with  more  cot)fidence,  declared  that  if  ever  my  countrymen 
returned  to  Michilimackinac  I  would  recommcrul  th  mu  to  their 
favor,  on  account  of  the  good  treatment  which  I  had  received 
from  them.  Thus  encouraged,  they  end)arked  at  an  early  hour 
the  next  morning.  In  crossing  the  bay  we  experienced  a  storm 
of  thunder  and  lightning. 

Our  port  was  the  village  of  L'Arbre  Crochc,  which  we 
reached  in  safety,  and  where  we  staid  till  the  following  day. 
At  this  village  we  found  several  persons  who  had  been  lately 
at  Micliilimackinac,  and  from  them  we  had  the  satisfaction  of 
learning  that  all  was  ((uiet  there.  The  remainder  of  our  voy- 
age was  therefore  j)erl'ormed  with  contidence. 

In  the  evening  of  the  twenly-sevenlh  we  landed  at  the  fort, 
vv^liich  now  cont;iined  only  two  French  traders.  The  Indians 
who  had  arrived  before  us  were  very  few  in  number ;  and  by 
all,  who  were  of  our  party,  I  was  used  very  kindly.  I  had 
the  entire  freedom  both  of  the  fort  and  camp. 

Wawatam  and  myself  settled  our  stock,  and  paid  our  debts  ; 
and  this  done,  I  found  that  my  share  of  what  was  left  consisted 
in  a  hundred  beaver-skins,  sixty  raccoon-skins,  and  six  oiler, 
of  the  total  value  of  about  one  nundred  and  sixty  dollars. 
With  these  earnings  of  my  winter's  toil  I  proposed  to  purchase 
"lothes,  of  which  I  was  much  in  need,  having  been  six  months 


•  M 


322 


ALEXANDER   HENRYS  CAniVITY. 


n 


1 


I 


n  •<  < 


!      ; 


1^ 


II 


\\  h- 


without  a  shirt;  but,  on  iticjuirinn-  into  the  prices  of  o-oods,  I 
round  that  all  my  funds  would  iHjt  t^o  far,  1  was;  able,  how- 
ever, t'  buy  iwo  ishirts,  at  ton  pounds  of  beaver  eacli ;  a  pair 
of  l('i(iJfiHs,  or  pnntaloons,  of  scarlet  cloth,  which,  with  the 
ribbon  to  yavnish  thcni  fashloaa/jhj,  cost  nic  fifteen  })ounds  of 
beaver ;  a  blanket,  at  twenty  j)oands  ,)f  beaver ;  and  some  other 
articles,  at  proportionable  rates.  In  this  manner  my  wealth 
was  soon  reduced  ;  but  not  before  I  had  Laid  in  a  good  stock  of 
ammunition  and  tobacco.  To  tJie  use  of  the  latter  I  had  be- 
come much  attached  durin^-  the  winter.  It  was  my  principal 
recreation  aft(>r  relurninir  from  the  chase;  for  my  companions 
in  the  lod<>"e  were  unaccustomed  to  pass  the  time  in  coiivcrsa- 
tion.  Anions^  the  Indians  the  topics  of  conversation  are  but 
few,  and  limited,  for  the  most  ]iart,  to  the  transactions  of  the 
day,  the  number  of  animals  which  they  have  killed,  and  of 
those  whicli  have  escaped  their  pursuit,  and  other  incidents  of 
the  chase.  Indeed,  the  causes  of  taciluvnily  amonu-  the  Indians 
may  be  easily  understood,  if  we  consider  how  masiy  occasions 
of  speech,  which  present  themselves  to  us,  arc  utterly  unknown 
to  them:  the  records  of  history,  the  pursuits  of  science,  the 
disquisitions  of  phihisophy,  the  systems  of  politic>,  the  ])usi- 
ness  and  the  amufcmoats  of  the  day,  and  the  transactions  of 
the  fotir  corners  of  the  world. 

Eiirht  days  had  passed  in  tranquillity,  when  there  arrived  a 
band  of  Indians  from  the  Bay  of  iSaguenaum.  They  had 
assisted  at  the  siege  of  Detroit,  and  came  to  muster  as  many 
recruits  for  that  service  as  they  could.  For  my  own  part,  I 
was  soon  informed  that,  as  I  was  the  only  Englishman  in  the 
place,  they  proposed  to  kill  me,  in  order  to  give  their  friends 
a  mess  of  Enuiish  broth  to  raise  their  courage. 

This  intelligence  was  not  of  the  most  agreeable  kind  ;  and 
in  consequence  of  receiving  it,  I  requested  my  friend  to  carry 
me  to  the  Sault  de  Saintc-Marie,  at  whiN^h  place  I  knew  the 
Indians  to  l)e  peaceably  inclined,  and  that  M.  Cadotte  enjoyed 
a  powerful  influence  over  their  conduct.  They  considered  M. 
Cadotte  as  their  chief;  and  he  was  not  only  my  friend,  but  a 
friend  to  the  English.  It  was  by  him  that  the  Chi[)peways  of 
lake  Superior  were  prevented  from  joining  Pontiac. 

Wawatam  was  not  slow  to  exert  himself  for  my  preserva- 
tion, br,t,  leaving  Michilimackinac  in  the  night,  tr.insported 
myself  and  all  his  lodge  to  Point  Saint-Ignacc,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  strait.  Here  we  remained  till  daylight,  and  then 
went  into  the  Bay  of  Boulchitaouy,  in  which  we  spent  thiee 
days  in  fishing  and  hunting,  and  where  we  found  plenty  of 
wild-fowl.  Leaving  the  bay,  we  made  for  the  Isle  aux  Ou- 
tardes,  where  we  were   obliged  to  put   in,  on   account  of  the 


ALEXANDER  IIEXRYS  CArTiVITV. 


323 


■;  of  goods,  I 
s  able,  liow- 
-iicli  ;  ii  pair 
li,    ^\•ith   ihe 
■u  })oiiiids  of 
d  some  other 
r  my  wealth 
;ood  stock  of 
tcr  I  had  he- 
niy  ])riucipal 
roinjiaiiions 
ill  coiiversa- 
ition   arc  j)ut 
nioiis  of  the 
illed,   and   of 
■  iticidcMils  of 
X  the  Indians 
nv  oc(  asions 
rly  iird<no\vn 
science,  the 
ics,  the  husi- 
ansactions  of 

ore  arrived  a 
'riiey  had 
5ter  as  many 
y  own  part,  I 
-hnian  in  the 
their  friends 

e  kind  ;  and 

vm\  to  carry 

I   knew  the 

(lotto  enjoyed 

onsidered  M. 

Iriend,  hut  a 

lippeways  of 

my  preserva- 
:,  transported 
I  the  opporitc 
Tht,  and  then 
'  spent  thiee 
nd  j)!enty  of 
Isle  aux  Ou- 
:count  of  the 


wind's  cominc;'  ahead.     We   proposed  >riilinL!'  for  the  Sank  the 


next  nionuny". 


But  when  the  tnorniinz  came,  Wawatam's  wife  complained 
that  she  was  sick,  addinir,  that  she  hail  had  had  dreams,  and 
knew  that  if  we  went  to  the  Sanlt  we  should  all  l)e  destroyed. 
To  have  araiied,  at  this  time,  aq'ainst  the  infiiUihility  of  dreams, 
would  have  been  extremely  unadvisable,  >ince  1  should  have 
apjieared  to  be  Liuilty  not  only  of  an  odious  want  of  faith,  but 
also  of  a  still  jnore  odious  want  of  sensibility  to  the  possible 
calamities  of  a  family  whiidi  had  done  so  mui-h  for  the  alle- 
viation of  mine.  1  was  silent ;  but  the  disapj)ointment  seemed 
to  seal  my  fate.  No  prosj)ect  opened  to  console  me.  To 
return  to  Miciiilimackinac  could  only  ensure  my  destruction; 
and  to  remain  at  the  islan(]  was  to  brave  almost  e(|ual  danirer, 
since  it  l;y  in  the  direct  route  betw^^eu  the  fort  and  the  Mis- 
sisaki,  alonn-  which  the  Indians  from  Detroit  were  liourly 
expected  to  pass  on  the  business  of  their  mission.  J  doubted 
not  but,  takintr  advantaL'e  of  the  solitary  situation  of  th(>  family, 
they  would  carry  into  execution  their  desiiiii  of  killiiii^r  me. 

Unable  therefore  to  take  any  part  in  the  direction  of  our 
course,  but  a  prey  at  the  same  time  to  the  most  anxious 
thouGrhts  as  to  my  own  condition,  I  passed  all  the  day  on  the 
highest  part  to  which  I  could  climlt  of  a  tall  tree,  and  whence 
llie  lake,  on  both  sides  of  the  island,  lay  open  to  my  view. 
Here  1  misjht  hope  to  learn,  at  the  earliest  possible,  the  ap- 
proach of  canoes,  and  by  this  means  be  warned  in  time  to  con- 
ceal myself. 

On  the  second  morniuL!;  I  returned,  as  soon  as  it  was  light, 
to  mv  watch-tower,  on  which  I  had  not  been  long  before  I 
discovered  a  sail  coming  from  Michilimackinac. 

The  sail  was  a  white  one,  and  much  larL^'r  than  those 
usually  employed  by  the  Northern  Indians.  I  therefore  in- 
dulii'ed  a  hope  that  it  might  be  a  Canadian  canoe,  on  its  voyage 
to  Montreal  •  and  that  1  might  he  ahle  to  prevail  uj)on  the 
crc'v  to  take  me  with  them,  and  thus  release  mi'  lVr)m  all  my 
troubles. 

j\l\'  hopes  continued  to  gain  ground  :  for  I  soon  [lersuaded 
ray.-dfthat  the  manner  in  which  the  paddles  \vere  used,  on 
board  the  canoe,  was  Canadian,  and  not  Indian.  M  \'  -i)irils 
Avere  elaU-d  ;  b\)t  disappoinlmeet  had  hecome  so  usual  with 
ine  that  I  could  iu)t  sutler  myself  to  look  to  the  event  wiMi  any 
strenu'th  of  confidence. 

Enough,  however.  ap])eared  at  lenL'"th  to  demousirate  itself 
to  induce  me  to  descend  the  tree,  and  repair  'o  the  lodge,  wiih 
my  iidinc!'s  and  schemes  of  libertv.  The  family  congratulated 
me  on  the  approach  of  so  fair  an  opportunity  of  esca])e ;  and 


il:M 


I     ; 


I  ', 


f  ' 


324 


ALEXANDER    HENRY'S    CAPTIVITY. 


my  father  and  lirotlur  (for  lio  wa.s  alternately  cacli  of  these) 
lit  his  pipe,  and  presciiU'd  il  to  mn,  f;ayini-''i  ''  ^Iv  .son,  this 
may  be  the  last  liiu(>  that  ever  you  and  1  shall  snioK't>  out  of 
the  same  pipe  !  I  am  sorry  to  part  with  you.  You  know  the 
aflcction  which  I  have  al\v;iy,s  borne  you,  and  the  dangers  to 
which  I  have  exposed  niyselC  and  family,  to  preserve  you  from 
your  enemies;  and  I  am  hnpjtv  to  (ind  that  my  eflorts  promise 
not  to  have  been  in  vain."  At  this  time  a  boy  catne  into  the 
lodge,  informing  us  that  the  canoe  had  come  from  INIichili- 
mack'inac,  and  was  bound  to  the  Sault  de  Sainte-Marie.  It 
was  manned  by  three  Canadians,  and  was  carryinir  Imme 
Madame  Cadotte,  the  wife  of  M.  Cadotte,  already  mentioned. 

My  hopes  of  p'oing-  to  Montreal  bein^^  now  dissipated,  I 
resolved  on  accompanying  Madame  Cadotte,  with  her  permis- 
sion, to  the  Sault.  On  communicatimr  my  wishes  to  Madame 
Cadotte,  she  cheerfully  acceded  to  them.  Madame  Cadotte, 
as  I  have  already  mentioned,  was  an  Indian  woman  of  the 
Chippeway  nation,  and  she  was  very  generally  respected. 

j\ly  departure  fixed  upon,  I  returned  to  the  lodge,  where  I 
packed  up  my  wardrobe,  consisting  of  my  two  shirts,  pair  of 
leggins,  and  blanket.  Besides  these,  I  took  a  gun  and  am- 
munition, presenting  what  remained  further  to  my  host.  I  also 
returned  the  silver  arm-bands  with  which  the  family  had 
decorated  me  the  year  before. 

We  now  exchanged  farewells  with  an  enmtion  entirely 
reciprocal.  I  did  imt  quit  the  lodge  without  the  most  grateful 
sense  of  the  many  acts  of  goodness  which  I  had  experienced 
in  it,  nor  without  the  sincerest  respect  for  the  virtues  which  I 
had  witnessed  among  its  members.  All  the  family  accom- 
panied me  to  the  beach  ;  and  the  canoe  had  no  sooner  put  off 
than  Wawfitam  commenced  an  address  to  the  Kichi  ]\fanito, 
beseeching  him  to  take  care  of  me,  his  brother,  till  we  should 
next  meet.  Tliis  he  had  told  me  would  not  be  long,  as  he 
intemh'd  to  return  to  Michiliniackinac  for  a  short  time  only, 
and  would  then  follow  me  to  the  Sault.  We  had  proceeded 
to  too  t^Tcat  a  distance  to  allow  of  our  hearing  his  voice  before 
Wa  .vaiani  had  ceased  to  oiler  up  his  prayers. 

Being  novv-  no  longer  in  the  society  of  the  Inrlians,  I  laid 
aside  the  dress,  putting  on  that  of  a  Canadian  :  a  mollon  or 
blanket  coat,  ov{>r  my  shirt ;  and  a  handk(,'rchief  about  my 
head,  hats  being  very  little  worn  in  this  country. 

At  daybrealv,  on  the  second  morning  of  our  voyag(>,  we 
embarked,  and  presently  perceived  several  canoes  behind  us. 
As  t!iey  approached,  Wf  asce;lained  them  to  be  the  fleet, 
bound  for  the  ^lissisaki,  of  which  1  had  been  so  long  in  dread. 
It  amounted  to  twenty  sail. 


ch  of  these) 
dy  son,  this 
molce  out  of 
ni  Iviiow  the 
e  (lancfers  to 
ve  you  from 
brts  promise 
line  into  the 
oni  INIichili- 
e-Marie,  It 
•ryino"  home 
mentioned. 
dis!:;ipated,  I 

her  permis- 
;  to  Madame 
me  Cadotte, 
Oman  of  the 
spected. 
d,oe,  where  I 
hirts,  pair  of 
nn  and  am- 
host.     I  also 

family  had 

tion  entirely 
nost  grateful 
experienced 
•tues  which  I 
unilv  accom- 
ioner  put  off 
•iii  jNfanito, 
I  we  should 
loni,'',  as  he 
rt  time  only, 
ad  proceeded 
voice  before 

idians,  I   laid 

a    mohon  or 

I'f  about  my 

voyajTe,  we 
s  Ijchind  us. 
be  the  fleet, 
jug  in  dread. 


ALEXANDER   HENRi  S   CAPTIVITY 


32 


•JD 


I 


On  coming  up  with  us,  and  surrounding  our  canoe,  and 
amid  general  inquiries  concerning  the  news,  an  Indian  chal- 
lenged nn?  for  an  iMiglishman.  and  his  companions  support- 
ed iiim,  by  declaring  that  I  looked  very  like  one  :  but  1 
affected  not  to  understand  any  of  the  qm^slions  which  iliny 
asked  me,  and  Madame  Cadotle  assured  tiitMU  that  I  was  a 
Canadian,  whom  sho  had  brouLThl  on  his  tirst  voyage  from 
Montreal. 

The  following  day  saw  ns  f^afely  landed  at  the  Sault,  where 
I  experienced  a  generous  welcome  from  M.  Cadotte.  There 
were  thirty  warriors  at  this  place,  restrained  from  joining  in 
the  war  only  by  M.  Cadotte's  influence. 

Here,  for  five  days,  I  was  once  more  in  possession  of  tran- 
quillity ;  but  on  the  sixth  a  young  Indian  came  into  M. 
Cadotte's,  saying  that  a  canoe  full  of  warriors  had  just  arrived 
from  Michilimackinac  ;  that  they  had  inquired  for  me  ;  and  that 
he  believed  their  intentions  to  be  bad.  Nearly  at  the  same  time, 
a  message  came  from  the  good  chief  of  the  village,  desiring  me 
to  conceal  myself  until  he  should  discover  the  views  and  tem- 
per of  the  strangers. 

A  garret  was  the  second  time  my  place  of  refuge  ;  and  it 
was  not  long  before  the  Indians  came  to  M.  Cadotte's.  My 
friend  immediately  informed  Mutchikiwish,  their  chief,  who 
was  related  to  his  wife,  of  the  design  imputed  to  them, 
of  mischief  against  myself.  Mutchikiwish  frankly  acknow- 
ledged that  they  had  had  such  a  design  ;  but  added  that  if 
displeasing  to  M.  Cadotte,  it  should  be  abandoned.  He  then 
further  stated,  that  their  errand  was  to  raise  a  party  of  war- 
riors to  return  with  them  to  Detroit;  and  that  it  had  been  their 
intention  1.0  take  me  with  thorn 

In  regard  to  the  principal  of  the  two  objects  iJius  disclosed, 
M.  Cadotte  proceeded  to  assemble  all  the  chiefs  and  warriors 
of  the  village ;  and  these,  aft(T  delibin'atinu-  for  some  time 
among  themselves,  sent  for  the  slrantrors,  to  whom  both  M. 
Cadotte  and  the  chief  of  the  village  addressed  a  speech.  In 
these  speeches,  after  recurring  to  the  designs  confessed  to  have 
been  entertained  against  myself,  who  was  now  declared  to  be 
under  the  immediate  protection  of  all  liie  chiefs,  by  whom  any 
insult  I  might  sustain  would  be  avenged,  the  and^assadors 
were  peremptorily  told  that  they  might  go  back  as  they  catne, 
none  of  the  young  men  of  this  village  being  ^oolish  enough 
to  join  them. 

A  nmment  after,  a  report  was  brought,  that  a  canoe  had  just 
arrived  from  Niagara.  As  this  was  a  place  from  which  every 
one  was  anxious  to  hear  news,  a  m(>ssage  was  sent  to  these 
fresh  strangers,  requesting  them  to  come  to  the  council. 

28 


326 


ALEXANDER  HENRYS  CAPTIVITY. 


t 


I      < 


<  I 


The  stranpfcrs  ciimc  accorilinprlVi  find  beinir  seuted,  a  long' 
sik'iico  ensued.  Al  leiiylh,  one  of  them,  lakiiii:  up  a  bi'It  of 
waiiipuiii,  addressed  himscdt'  thus  to  ihe  asseuiMy  :  "  My 
friends  and  brothers,  1  am  euiue,  with  thi.s  beU,  troni  our 
great  father,  Sir  William  Johnson,  lie  desired  me  to  conic 
to  you  as  his  ainhassador,  and  tell  you  that  he  is  making  a 
great  feast  al  fort  Niagara  ;  that  his  kettles  are  all  ready,  and 
his  tires  lit.  lie  inxites  you  to  partake  of  the  feast,  in  com- 
mon with  your  friends,  the  Six  Nations,  which  have  all  made 
peace  with  tiie  English.  He  advises  you  to  seize  this  oppor- 
tunity of  (hiing  the  same,  as  you  cannot  otherwise  fail  of  being 
destroyed;  for  the  English  arc  on  their  march,  with  a  great 
army,  which  will  he  joined  by  different  nations  of  Indians. 
In  a  word,  before  the  fall  of  the  leaf,  they  will  be  al  Michili- 
mackinac,  and  the  Six  Nations  with  them." 

The  tenor  of  this  speech  greatly  alarmed  the  Indians  of  the 
Sauk,  who,  after  a  very  short  consultation,  agreed  to  send  twenty 
deputies  to  Sir  William  Johnson,  at  Niagara.  This  was  a 
project  highly  interesting  to  me,  since  it  offered  me  the  means 
of  leaving  the  country.  I  intimated  this  to  the  chief  of  the 
village,  and  received  his  promise  that  I  should  accompany  the 
deputation. 

Very  little  time  Avas  proposed  to  be  lost,  in  selling  forward 
on  the  voyage  ;  but  the  occasion  Avas  of  too  much  magnitude 
not  to  call  for  more  than  human  knowledge  and  discretion  ; 
and  preparations  were  accordingly  made  for  solenuily  invoking 
and  consulting  the  Great  Turtle. 

For  invoking  and  consulting  the  Great  Turtle,  the  first  thing 
to  be  done  was  the  building  of  a  large  house  or  wigwam, 
within  which  was  placed  a  species  of  tent,  for  the  use  of  the 
priest  and  reception  of  the  spirit.  The  lent  was  formed  of 
moose-skins,  liuny-  over  a  frame-work  of  wood.  Five  p  dcs,  or 
rather  pillars,  of  five  different  species  of  limber,  about  ten  feet 
in  height,  and  eiyht  inches  in  diameter,  were  set  in  a  circle 
of  about  four  feet  in  diameter.  The  holes  made  to  re- 
ceive them  were  about  two  feet  deep  ;  and  the  j)illars  being 
set,  the  holes  were  filled  up  airain,  with  the  earth  w'hic.h  had 
been  dug  out.  At  lop  the  pillars  were  bound  together  by  a 
circular  hoop,  or  girder.  Over  the  wdiole  of  this  edifice  were 
spread  the  moose-skins,  covering  it  a',  top  and  round  the  sides, 
and  made  fast  with  thongs  of  the  same  ;  except  that  on  one  side 
a  part  was  left  unfastened,  to  admit  of  the  entrance  of  the  priest. 

The  ceremonies  did  not  commence  but  with  the  approach  of 
night.  To  give  light  within  the  house,  several  fires  were  kin- 
dled round  the  tent.  Nearly  the  whole  village  assembled  in 
the  house,  and  myself  among  the  rest.     Ii  was  not  long  before 


ALEXANDEU    HENRY'S   CAPTIVITY. 


327 


atetl,  a   long 
uj)  a  bell  of 
nl.ly  :    -  ^^y 
It,   I'roiu    our 
me   lo  come 
is    making  a 
11  really,  and 
'ast,  ill   com- 
ive   all  made 
;   this   oppor- 
?  fail  of  beinjT 
^vith   a    i^reat 
s  of  Indians. 
JO  at  Michili- 

nclians  of  the 
0  send  twenty 
This  was  a 
:ae  the  means 
3  chief  of  the 
ccoinpany  the 

tting  forward 
ch  magnitude 
d  discretion  ; 
unly  invoking 

the  first  thing 
or  wigwam, 
le  use  of  the 
as    formed  of 
Five  p  des,  or 
about  ten  feel 
set   in  a  circle 
made    to    re- 
pillars  being 
ih  which   had 
together  by  a 
s  editice   w'ere 
und  the  sides, 
hat  on  one  side 
of  the  priest, 
le  approach  of 
fires  were  kin- 
;   assembled  in 
not  long  before 


the  priest  appeared,  almost  in  a  state  of  nakodn'^s.  As  he 
approached  the  tent  the  skins  were  lifted  up,  as  much  as  was 
necessary  to  allow  of  iiis  creeping  under  them,  on  his  hands 
and  knees.  His  head  was  scarcely  withiiisid'-,  when  the 
edilicc,  massy  as  it  has  been  described,  l)i'i!an  shake  ;  and 
ihe  skins  were  no  sooner  let  fall,  than  the  sounds  of  numerous 
voices  were  heard  beneath  them,  some  yelling,  sonu^  barking 
as  dogs,  some  howling  like  wolves,  and  in  this  horrible  (on- 
cerl  were  mingled  screams  and  solts,  as  of  despair,  aiiL'tiish 
and  the  sharpest  pain.  Articulate  speech  was  also  uttered,  as 
if  frf»in  human  lips,  but  in  a  tongue  unlcnown  to  any  of  tin; 
audience. 

Alter  some  time,  these  confused  ami  iVightt'ul  noises  were 
succeeded  b\'  a  perfect  silence  ;  and  ..ow  a  voice,  not  heard 
before,  seemed  to  niauiiesi  the  Jirrival  (d"  a  new  character  in 
the  tent.  This  wa>  a  low  and  feeble  V(jice,  resemblim:-  the 
cry  of  a  young  pup|)y.  The  sound  was  no  sooner  distin- 
guished, than  all  the  Indians  clapped  their  hands  for  joy,  (Ex- 
claiming, that  this  was  tlie  Chief  Spirit,  the  Turtle,  the  spirit 
that  ncn'cr  lied  !  Oilier  voices,  which  they  had  discriminated 
from  time  to  time,  they  had  previously  hissed,  as  recognising 
ihem  to  belong  to  evil  and  lying  spirits,  which  deceive  man- 
kind. 

New  sounds  came  from  the  tent.  During  the  space  of  half 
an  hour,  a  succession  of  songs  were  heard,  in  which  a  diver- 
sity of  voices  met  the  ear.  From  his  first  entrance,  till  these 
songs  were  finished,  we  heard  nothing  in  the  proper  voice  of 
the  priest;  but  now,  he  addressed  the  multitude,  declaring  the 
presence  of  the  Giieat  Tukti.i:,  and  the  spirit's  readiness  to 
answer  such  questions  as  should  be  proposed. 

The  questions  were  to  come  from  the  chief  of  the  village, 
who  was  silent,  however,  till  after  he  had  put  a  large  quantity 
of  tobacco  into  the  tent,  introducing  it  at  the  aperture.  This 
was  a  sacritice  otiered  to  the  s})irit  ;  for  spirits  are  supposed 
by  the  Indians  to  be  as  fond  of  tobacco  as  themselves.  The 
tobacco  accepted,  he  desired  the  priest  to  inquire  whether  or 
not  the  English  were  preparing  to  nuiko  war  upon  the  Indians  ; 
and  whether  or  not  there  were  at  fort  Niagara  a  larue  tium- 
ber  of  English  troops. 

These  questions  having  been  put  by  the  priest,  the  tent 
instantly  shook- ;  and  for  some  seconds  after  it  contimuMl  to 
rock  so  violently  that  I  expected  to  see  it  levelled  with  the 
ground.  All  this  was  a  prelude,  as  I  supposed,  to  the  answers 
to  be  given  ;  but  a  terrific  cry  announced,  with  sufficient 
intelligibility,  the  departure  of  the  Turtle. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour  elapsed  in  silence,  and  I  waited  impa- 


328 


ALEXANDER   HENRY'S   CAPTIVITY. 


tiently  to  discover  what  was  to  be  the  nej  ..icident  in  this 
scene  of  imposture.  It  consisted  in  the  return  of  the  spirit, 
wiiose  voice  was  ay'ain  heard,  and  who  now  delivered  a  con- 
tinned  sj)eech.  The  lanj^niaLje  of  the  Gup:at  Turtle,  like 
tliat  which  we  had  heard  before,  was  wholly  nnintellij^nhle  to 
every  ear,  that  of  liis  priest  excepted  ;  and  it  v.as,  therifore, 
not  till  the  latter  gave  us  an  intf'r|)retaiion,  wliich  did  not 
commence  before  the  spirit  had  linishnl,  that  we  h'arned  the 
purport  of  this  extraordinary  commimication. 

The  spirit,  as  we  were  now  inff)rmed  by  the  priest,  had, 
vhirinLj"  his  short  absence,  crossed  lake  Huron,  and  even  pro- 
ceeded as  far  as  fort  Xiauara.  which  is  at  the  head  of  lake 
Ontario,  and  thence  to  ^Inntreal.  At  fort  Niao'iira,  he  had 
seen  no  great  nundier  of  soldiers  ;  hui  on  descendino-  the  St. 
Lawreni'e,  as  hnv  as  ^rnntreal.  lie  had  iniiiul  the  river  covered 
with  boats,  and  the  hoats  Idled  with  soldii'rs,  in  nnnjber  like 
the  leaves  of  the  trees.  He  had  met  them  on  their  way  up 
the  river,  coming  to  make  war  upon  the  Imlians. 

Tile  chief  liad  a  third  question  to  propose,  and  the  spirit, 
without  a  fresh  journey  to  fort  Niagara,  was  able  to  give  an 
instant  and  most  favorable  answer.  "  If,"  said  the  chief,  "  the 
Indians  visit  Sir  William  Johnson,  will  they  be  received  as 
friends  ?" 

"  Sir  William  Johnson,"  said  the  spirit,  (and  after  the  spirit 
the  priest,)  "  Sir  William  Johnson  will  fill  their  canoes  with 
presents,  with  blankets,  kettles,  guns,  gunpowder  and  shot,  and 
large  barrels  of  rum,  such  as  the  stoutest  of  the  Indians  will 
not  be  able  to  lift;  and  every  man  will  return  in  safety  to  his 
family." 

At  this,  the  transport  was  universal  ;  and,  amid  the  clap- 
ping of  hands,  a  hundred  voices  exclaimed,.  "  I  will  go,  too ! 
I  will  go  too  !" 

The  questions  of  public  interest  being  resolved,  individuals 
were  now  permitted  to  seize  the  opportunity  of  inquiring  into 
the  condition  of  their  absent  friends,  and  the  fate  of  such  as 
Avere  sick.  I  observed  that  the  answers,  given  to  these  ques- 
tions, allowed  of  much  latitude  of  interpretation. 

Amid  this  general  inquisitiveness,  I  yielded  to  the  solicita- 
tions of  my  own  anxiety  for  the  future  ;  and  having  first,  like 
the  rest,  made  my  offering  of  tobacco,  I  inquired  whether  or 
not  I  should  ever  revisit  my  native  country.  The  question 
being  put  by  the  priest,  the  tent  shook  as  usual ;  after  which 
1  received  this  answer  :  "  That  I  should  take  courage,  and  fear 
no  danger,  for  that  nothing  would  happen  to  hurt  me  ;  and  that 
I  should,  in  the  end,  reach  my  friends   and  country  in  safety." 


ALEXANDER    IIENUVS   CAPTIVFTY. 


329 


nl    in   this 

the  spirit, 

retl  !i  coii- 

riTKK,   like 

_'lli<^nblc  to 

therefore, 

h   (lid  not 

earned  tho 

riest,  had, 
even  pro- 
ul  of  hike 
rn,  he  had 
no-  Uie  St. 
•  r  covered 
iinlier  like 
ir    way  np 

the  spirit, 
to  Cfive  an 
chief,  "  the 
•eceived  as 

:  the  spirit 

moes   with 

1  shot,  and 

'ians   will 

■ety  to  his 

the  clap- 
1   go,  too  ! 

ndividuals 
irinij:  into 
•f  such  as 
lese   ques- 

le  solicita- 
first,  like 
.vhether  or 
question 
ler  which 
e,  and  fear 
and  that 
in  safety." 


These  assurances  wrought  so  strorifjly  on  my  gratitude,  that  I 
presented  an  additional  and  extra  otiiTing  of  tohacro. 

The  Great  Turtle  coiuiiuied  to  he  con^iiltt'd  till  near  »nid- 
night,  when  all  the  crowd  dispcr.-^ed  to  their  respi.'ctive  lodges. 
I  was  on  the  watch,  thro\igh  the  scene  1  have  descrilied,  to 
detect  tho  particular  contrivances  hv  which  the  fraud  was 
carried  on  ;  hut  such  was  the  skill  di-playeil  in  the  porforin- 
ance,  or  such  my  di^ficiency  of  penetration,  that  I  wmlo 
no  discoveries,  hut  came  away  as  I  weiu,  with  no  more  than 
those  general  surmises  which  will  naturally  he  entertained  hy 
every  rcmder."*^ 

On  the  10th  of  June,  I  embarked  with  the  Indian  deputa- 
tion, ( omposed  of  sixteen  men.  Twcu'.y  had  b'Mui  the  num- 
ber originally  designed ;  and  upward  of  fit'ty  actually  engai^'ed 
themselves  to  the  council  for  the  undertaking;  to  say  nothing 
of  the  general  enthusiasm,  at  the  moment  of  hearing  the 
Great  Turtle's  promise^;.  Hnt  exclusively  of  the  decree  of 
timidity  which  still  prevaiied,  we  are  to  take  into  account  the 
various  domestic  calls,  which  might  supersede  all  others,  and 
detain  many  with  their  families. 

In  the  evening  of  the  second  day  of  our  voyage,  we  reached 
the  mouth  of  the  Missisaki,  where  we  found  about  forty 
Indians,  hy  whom  w'e  were  received  with  abundant  kitulness, 
and  at  night  regaled  at  a  great  feast,  held  on  account  of  our 
arrival.  The  viand  was  a  preparation  of  the  roe  of  the  stur- 
geon, beat  up,  and  boiled,  and  of  the  consistence  of  porridge. 

After  eating,  several  speeches  were  made  to  ns,  of  which 
the  general  topic  was  a  request  that  we  should  recommend  the 
village  to  Sir  William  Johnson.  This  request  was  also  spe- 
cially addressed  to  me,  and  I  promised  to  comply  with  it. 

On  the  14th  of  June,  we  passed  the  village  of  La  Cloche, 
of  which  the  greater  part  of  the  inhabitants  were  absent,  being 
already  on  a  visit  to  Sir  William  Johnson.  This  circumstance 
greatly  encouraged  the  companions  of  my  voyage,  who  now 
saw  that  they  were  not  the  first  to  run  into  danger. 

The  next  day,  about  noon,  the  wind  blowing  very  hard,  we 
were  obliged  to  put  ashore  at  Point  aux  Grondines,  a  place  of 

*  M.  (le  Ciiamplaiii  has  left  an  account  ot'  an  exhibition  of  'he  nature 
here  described,  wliich  may  be  seen  in  Charlevoix's  Histoire  el  Description 
Generate  de  hi,  Xiiuvelle  France,  li vie  IV.  This  took  j)hic(!  in  the  year 
1&)S),  and  was  performed  amono'  a  jiarty  of  warriors,  composed  of  Ai^on- 
quins,  Montai^nez  and  Hnrons.  Carver  witnessed  another,  ainoiiir  the 
Christinaux.  In  each  ca.se.  the  details  are  somewhat  (litl(2rent,  biu  the 
outline  is  the  same.  IM.  de  Chaniplain  mentions  that  h<>  saw  the  jmiokur 
shake  the  stakes  or  pillars  of  the  lent.  I  was  not  so  foruinate  ;  inn  this 
is  the  obvious  explanation  of  that  part  of  the  mystery  to  which  it  refers. 
Captain  Carver  leaves  the  whole  m  darkness. 

L>8^ 


330 


ALEXANDER  HENRY'S  CAPTIVITY. 


Hi 


which  some  description  has  heen  given  above.  Whil"  the  In- 
di'ins  erected  a  hut,  1  employed  iny^^elf  in  niakiiiL''  a  lire.  As 
1  was  L'^atheriiiL'"  wood,  an  iiiuHal  sound  tixed  my  attention  for 
n  moment;  hut,  as  it  presently  ceased,  and  as  1  saw  nothing- 
iVom  which  I  coukl  suppose  it  to  proceed,  I  continuetl  my  em- 
ployment, till,  advanciuir  further,  1  was  alarmed  hy  a  repetition. 
I  imagined  that  it  came  from  ahove  my  head  ;  hut  after  look- 
ini,''  that  way  in  vain,  I  cast  my  eyes  on  the  Ln'ound,  and  th(!re 
discovered  a  rattlesnake,  at  not  more  than  two  feet  from  my 
naked  legs.  The  reptile  was  coiled,  and  its  head  raised  con- 
siderably above  its  body.  Had  I  advanced  another  step  before 
my  discovery,  I  must  have  trodden  upon  it. 

I  no  sooner  saw  the  sriake  than  I  hastened  to  the  canoe,  in 
order  to  procure  my  gun  ;  but  the  Indians,  observing  what  I 
was  doing,  inquired  the  occasion,  and  being  informed,  begged 
me  to  desist.  At  the  same  time  they  followed  me  to  the  spot, 
with  their  pipes  and  tobacco-pouches  in  their  hand^;.  On  re- 
turning, I  found  the  snake  still  coiled. 

The  Indians,  on  their  part,  surrounded  it.  all  addressing  it 
by  turns  and  calling  it  their  grandfather  ;  but.  yet  keeping  at 
.some  distance.  During  this  part  of  the  ceremony  they  filled 
their  pipes ;  and  now  each  blew  the  smoke  toward  the  snake, 
who,  as  it  appeared  to  me,  really  received  it  with  pleasure.  In 
a  word,  after  remaining  coiled,  and  receiving  incense,  for  the 
space  of  half  an  hour,  it  stretched  itself  along  the  ground  in 
visible  good  humor.  Its  length  wan  between  four  and  five  feel. 
Having  remained  outstretched  for  some  time,  at  last  it  moved 
slowly  away,  the  Indians  following  it,  and  still  addressing  it  by 
the  title  of  grandfather,  beseeching  it  to  tak(!  care  of  their 
families  during  their  absence,  and  to  be  pleased  to  oyen  the 
heart  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  so  that  he  might  show  them 
charity,  and  fill  their  canoe  with  rum. 

One  of  the  chiefs  added  a  petition  that  the  snake  would  take 
no  notice  of  the  insult  which  had  been  offered  him  by  the 
Englishman,  who  would  even  have  put  him  to  death  but  for 
the  interference  of  the  Indians,  to  whom  it  was  hoped  he  would 
impute  no  part  of  the  ofTence.  They  further  requested  that  he 
would  remain  and  inhabit  their  country,  and  not  return  among 
the  English,  that  is,  go  eastward. 

After  the  rattlesnake  was  gone,  I  learned  that  this  was  the 
first  time  that  an  individual  of  the  species  had  been  seen  so  far 
to  the  northward  and  westward  of  the  river  Des  Fran(jais ;  a 
circumstance,  moreover,  from  which  my  companions  were  dis- 
posed to  infer  that  this  vianitn  had  come  or  been  sent  on  pur- 
pose to  meet  them;  that  his  errand  had  been  iio  other  than  to 
stop  them  on   their  way ;  and   that  consequently  it  would  be 


I 


ALEXANDER    HENRYS    CAPTIVITY. 


331 


"  the  [ii- 

lirc.      As 

■iiti(»n  for 

nnihiiig' 

my  tMu- 

epclitioM. 

tk'r  look- 

uiil  there 

iVoin  my 

lised  con- 

;ep  before 

canoe,  in 

\<r  what  I 

(1,  beirgf'd 

I  the  ^pot, 

On  re- 

Iressing  it 
keeping  at 
ihcy  filled 
the  tsnake, 
isure.  In 
se,  for  the 
nfround  in 

live  feel. 

it  moved 
sintr  it  by 
of  their 

oyen  the 
shoic  thevi 


V 


ould  take 
in  by  the 
ith  but  for 

he  would 
Led  that  he 


irn  among 


is  was  the 
een  so  far 
ran(^ais ;  a 
?  were  dis- 
nt  on  pur- 
ler than  to 
:  would  be 


most  advisable  to  return  to  the  point  of  departure.  I  was  so 
fortunate,  however,  as  to  prevail  with  them  to  embark  ;  and  at 
six  o'clock  in  the  evenimr  we  attain  encanijKMl.  Yrrv  little 
was  spoken  of  throuirh  the  eveiiinir,  the  raltlcMiaue  (>\cepted. 

Early  the  ntwt  moriiinof  we  proceeded.  Wf  had  a  sercm; 
sky  aiKi  vevy  little  wind,  and  the  Indians  therefore  determined 
on  sti'eriiiir  across  the  lake  to  an  island  which  just  appeared  in 
the  horizon  ;  savinL*",  by  this  course,  a  distance  of  thirty  miles, 
which  would  be  lost  in  keeping  the  shore.  At  nine  o'clock,  A. 
M.  we  had  a  light  breeze  astern,  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  which 
wo  hoisted  sail.  Soon  after  the  wind  increased,  ami  the  In- 
dians, beginning  to  be  alarmed,  frc(|uently  calleil  on  the  rattle- 
snake to  come  to  their  assistance.  By  degrees  the  waves  grew 
high  ;  and  at  eleven  o'clock  it  blew  a  hurricane,  and  we  ex- 
pected every  moment  to  be  swallowed  up.  From  prayers  the 
Indians  now  proceeded  to  sacrifices,  both  alike  offered  to  the 
god  rattlesnake,  or  inanito  kinihic.  One  of  the  chiefs  took  a 
dog,  and  after  tying  its  fore  legs  together  threw  it  overboard, 
at  the  same  time  calling  oa  the  snake  to  preserve  us  from  being 
drowned,  and  desiring  him  to  satisfy  his  himger  with  the  car- 
cass of  the  dog.  Tlie  snake  was  unpropitious,  and  the  wind 
increased.  Another  chief  sacrificed  another  dog,  with  the 
addition  of  some  tobacco.  In  the  prayer  which  accompanied 
these  gifts,  he  besought  the  snake,  as  before,  not  to  avenge  upon 
the  Indians  the  insult  which  he  had  received  from  myself,  in 
the  conception  of  a  design  to  put  him  to  death.  He  assured 
the  snakc!  that  I  was  absolutely  an  Englishman,  and  of  kin 
neither  to  him  nor  to  them. 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  speech,  an  Indian  who  sat  near  me 
observ(Hl.  that  if  we  were  drowned  it  would  be  ^or  my  fault 
alone,  and  that  I  ought  myself  to  be  sacrificed,  to  appease  the 
angry  manito  ;  nor  was  I  without  apprehensions  that  in  case 
of  extremity  this  would  be  my  fate  ;  but,  happily  for  me,  the 
storm  at  length  abated,  and  we  reached  the  island  safely. 

The  next  day  was  calm,  and  we  arrived  at  the  entrance"^  of 
the  navigation  which  leads  to  lake  Aux  Claies.t  We  present- 
ly passed  two  short  carrying-places,  at  each  of  which  were 
several  lodges  of  Indians,!:  containing  only  women  and  children, 
the  men  being  gone  to  the  council  at  Niagara.  From  this,  as 
from  a  former  instance,  my  companions  derived  new  courage. 

*  This  is  the  bay  of  Matchedash,  or  Matchitashk. 

f  This  lake,  which  is  now  called  lake  Simcoe,  lies  between  lakes  Hu- 
ron and  Ontario. 

:j:  The:-e  Indians  are  Chippevvays,  of  the  particular  de.scription  called 
Missisakies  ;  and  from  their  residence  at  Matchedash,  or  Matchitaiihk, 
also  called  Matchedash  or  Matchitashk  Indians. 


332 


ALEXANDER   HENRY'S  CAI'TIVITY. 


On  the  IStli  of  JiirH*,  wo  crossed  lake  Anx  Claios,  which 
appear('(l  to  he  upward  of  twenty  inih'.s  in  leiiL'-ll».  At  its  fur- 
ther end  wo  came  to  the  carryin^ir-place  of  T<ii'anto."^  Hero 
the  Indians  ohliqed  me  to  carry  a  hurden  of  more  than  a  hun- 
dred |)ounds  w<'iiyht.  The  (hiy  was  very  hot,  and  the  woods 
and  marshes  ah)un(h'd  with  mos(|uitoes ;  hut  the  Indians 
walked  at  a  fjiiick  pace,  and  I  couhl  hy  no  means  sec  myself 
left  heliind.  Tlie  whole  country  was  a  thick  forest,  throusrh 
which  our  only  roati  was  a  foot-path,  or  such  as,  in  America,  is 
exclusively  ternied  an  Indian  pnlh. 

Next  mornin;^  at  ten  o'clock  we  reached  the  shore  of  lake 
Ontario.  Hero  we  were  employed  two  days  in  makino- canoes 
out  of  the  hark  of  the  elm  tree,  in  which  we  were  to  transport 
ourselves  to  Niagara.  For  this  purpose  the  Indians  first  cut 
down  a  tree  ;  then  stripped  olF  the  hark  in  one  entire  sheet  of 
about  eighteen  feet  in  length,  the  incision  heing  lengthwise. 
The  canoe  was  now  complete  as  to  its  top,  bottom,  and  sides. 
Its  ends  were  next  closed  by  sewing  the  bark  together  ;  and  a 
few  ribs  and  bars  being  introduced,  the  architecture  was  finish- 
ed. In  this  manner  we  inade  two  canoes,  of  which  one  car- 
ried eight  men  and  the  other  nine. 

On  the  21st,  we  embarked  at  Toranto,  and  encamped  in  the 
evening  four  miles  short  of  fort  Niagara,  which  the  Indians 
would  rmt  approach  till  morning. 

At  dawn,  the  Indians  were  awake,  and  presently  assembled 
in  council,  still  doubtful  as  to  the  fate  they  were  to  encounter. 
I  assured  them  of  the  most  friendly  welcome  ;  and  at  length, 
after  painting  themselves  with  the  most  lively  colors,  in  token 
of  their  own  peaceable  views,  and  after  singing  the  song  which 
is  in  vjsG  among  them  on  going  into  danger,  they  embarked, 
and  made  for  point  Missisaki,  which  is  on  the  north  side  of 
the  mouth  of  the  river  or  strait  of  Niagara,  as  the  fort  is  on 
the  south.  A  few  minutes  after  1  crossed  over  to  the  fort ;  and 
here  I  was  received  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  in  a  manner  for 
which  I  have  ever  been  gratefully  attached  to  his  person  and 
memory. 

Thus  was  completed  my  escape  from  the  sufferings  and 
dangers  which  the  capture  of  fort  Michilimackinac  brought 
upon  me  ;  but  the  property  which  I  had  carried  into  the  upper 
country  was  left  behind.  The  reader  will  therefore  be  far 
from  attributing  to  me  any  idle  or  unaccountable  motive,  when 
he  finds  me  returning  to  the  scene  of  my  misfortunes. 

*  Toranto,  or  Toronto,  is  the  name  of  a  French  tradins:-hoiise  on  lake 
Ontario,  built  near  the  site  of  the  present  town  of  York,  the  capital  of  the 
province  of  Upper  Canada.  [It  is  one  of  the  most  important  places  in 
that  province  at  this  time. — Ed.] 


333 


OS,  which 
At  its  fur- 
.'*  Hero 
!ui  ii  hiin- 
'.he  woods 
('  Iiidiatis 
I'c  iiiy^»'lf 
1,  throiii^^h 
.merica,  is 

ro  of  lake 
iiio'  canoes 
)  transport 
IS  first  cut 
■o  sheet  of 
nitrlhwiso. 
and  sides. 
ler ;  and  a 
was  finish- 
h  one  car- 

iped  in  the 
".n  Indians 

assembled 

encounter. 

at  length, 

,  in  token 

onc^  Avhich 

embarked, 

th  side  of 

fort  is  on 

fort ;  and 

nanner  for 

)erson  and 

rincjs  and 
,0  brought 

the  upper 
)re   be   far 

ive,  when 


>iise  on  lake 
ipital  of  the 
at  places  in 


N  A  K  K  A  T  I  V  !■: 

OF  THE  CA!>TIVITV  OF  I'llEDKRICK  MAMIKIM. 

Frrdkrick  Manukim,  an  industrious  German,  with  his  lam- 
ilv,  consisting  of  his  wife,  a  daughter  of  eiiihtccn  years  oi  age, 
and  Maria  and  (Christina,  his  younL''ost  children,  (twins,)  about 
sixteen,  resided  near  the  river  Mohawk,  (Mght  miles  west  of 
Johnsion.  On  the  19ih  of  October,  1779,  the  father  being  at 
work  at  some  distance  from  his  habitation,  and  the  mother  and 
eldest  dauLfhter  on  a  visit  at  a  neighl)or's,  two  hostile  Cana- 
sadaga  Indians  rushed  in  and  captured  the  twin  sisters. 

The  party  to  which  these  savages  belonged  consisted  of  fifty- 
warriors,  who,  after  securing  twenty-three  of  the  inhabitants 
of  that  neigiiborhood,  (am')ng  whom  was  the  unfortunate  Fre- 
derick ]\Ianheim,)  and  firing  their  houses,  retired  for  four  days 
with  the  nlmosi  precipitancy,  till  they  were  quite  safe  from 
pursuit.  The  place  where  they  halted  on  the  evening  of  the 
day  of  rest  was  a  thi.'k  pine  swamp,  which  rendered  the  dark- 
ness of  an  nncommoidy  gloomy  night  still  more  dreadful. 
Tlie  Indians  kindled  a  fire,  which  they  had  not  done  before, 
and  ordered  their  prisoners,  whom  they  kept  together,  to 
refresh  themselves  with  such  provisions  as  they  had.  The 
Indians  eat  by  themselves.  After  supper  the  appalled  captives 
observed  their  enernies,  instead  of  retiring  to  rest,  busied  in 
operations  which  boded  nothing  good.  Two  saplings  were 
pruned  clear  of  branches  up  to  the  very  top,  and  all  the  brush 
cleared  away  for  several   rods  around   them.     While  this  was 


•tKm 


3JJ4 


MRS.   MOZAIITIIS   EXPLOIT. 


doinj];,  othrrs  wrrn  splittiniT  pilcli-pinc  l)illf'ts  Ititn  small  ^plintors 
iiliout  live  iiichfs  ill  Icii'j'li.  1111(1  as  small  as  one's  littU-  liiiocr, 
sliarjuiiiiiijf  one  cud,  und  dippiiij^r  llif  ulht-r  in  laclled  lurpon- 
tiiif. 

At  l('n<,''lh,  with  fninitcnaiicfs  distorted  hy  infonial  fury,  inui 
hideous  yll.^,  the  two  -ava-jcs  who  had  captiirod  the  ha|ilt  ss 
Maria  and  Christina  leaped  into  the  midst  of  the  cirile  ot  pri- 
RontTs,  and  drau",£,'i'd  those  ill-fated  tnaidens,  shriekiiiir,  from  the 
cnd)races  of  their  companions.  These  warriors  had  disn^'"reed 
ahont  whose  property  the  uirls  should  he,  as  ihey  had  jointly 
seized  ihem  ;  and,  to  ierminat(!  ihe  dispute!  airreeahly  to  the 
nhominahle  nistf)m  of  the  savae'cs,  it  was  determined  hy  tlu^ 
cliiefs  of  the  party  tliat  the  prismiers  who  had  jjfivcn  ris'  to  the 
contention  should  he  destroyed,  and  that,  their  captfyrs  should 
be  the  principal  a'jents  in  the  execrahle  lMi>iiies.-.  These  fin'ies, 
assisted  hy  iheir  comrades,  slrippe(l  the  forlorn  ifirls,  convulsed 
with  apprehensions,  and  tied  each  to  a  sapliiiL!",  with  their  hands 
as  hi^h  extended  ahovMi  tiieir  heads  as  possible  ;  and  then 
pitched  them  from  their  Knees  to  their  shoulders,  with  upwards 
of  six  hundred  of  the  sharpened  splinters  above  described, 
which,  al  every  puncture,  were  attended  wi.'h  screams  of  dis- 
tress, that  echoed  thronirh  the  wilderness,  ^.nd  then,  to  com- 
plete the  infernal  traL'"edy,  the  splinters,  all  standiiif^  erect  on 
the  bleedini!;'  victims,  were  set  on  fire,  and  exhibited  a  scene  of 
extrenu>  misery,  beyond  the  power  of  speech  to  describe,  or 
even  the  imanination  to  conceive.  It  was  not  until  near  three 
hours  had  elapsed  from  the  commencement  of  their  torments, 
and  that  they  had  lost  almost  every  resemblance  of  the  Inunan 
form,  that  these  helpless  virgins  sunk  down  in  the  arms  of  their 
deliverer,  death. 


SIGNAL  PROWESS  OF  A  WOMAN,  IN  A  COMBAT 

WITH  SOMR  IXDIANS.     IN  A  LETTKIl  TO  A  LADY  OF    PHIL- 
ADELPHIA. 

IVcstmnrcland,  Aj)ril  26,  1779. 

Madam, — I  have  written  an  account  of  a  very  particular 
affair  between  a  white  man  and  two  Indians. ^'^  I  am  now  to 
give  you  a  relation  iti  which  you  will  see  how  a  person  of 
your  sex  accpiilted  herself  in  defence  of  her  own  life,  and  that 
of  her  husband  and  children. 

*  Relcreni'c  is  probably  made  to  the  desperate  encounter  of  one  Mor- 
gan and  two  Indians. — Ed. 


KEV.   JOHN    CtUiniA'S    NAKKATIVE. 


335 


splintorH 
:!(•  linger, 
(1  turix'n- 

i'urvi  and 
ic  lmi>l«'SH 
c\r  of  pri- 
f,  IVoiu  iIm' 

iul  jointly 
l.ly  to  ill" 
ii.{(  l.y  tlio 
ris'  to  till' 
ors  shoulil 
K'sc  tiirif's, 

coiivulst'd 
heir  luinds 

tiiid  tlit'u 
ill  upwards 

described, 
mis  of  di*^- 
cn,  to  com- 
ng  erect  on 

a,  scene  of 
ilescribe,  or 

near  three 
torments, 

he  human 

ns  of  their 


COMBAT 

r  OF    PHIL- 

26,  1779. 

particular 
am  now  to 
a  person  of 
e,  and  that 

•  of  one  Mor- 


The  lady  who  i-  ilu'  hiirlheii  of  this  .-tory  is  uaiiii'd  lOxpe- 
rionci'  IJozarili.  She  lives  on  a  creeU  callr.l  Dimlvard  creek, 
in  til*'  south-we.'l  corner  <)f  tiiis  county.  Alnnit  tlic  miildli-  of 
March  la^t,  two  or  three  familifs,  who  wore  afraid  to  stay  al 
hoin",  tjathercd  to  her  Iidiisc  atid  ilirre  stayed  ;  looKino-  on 
themselves  to  he  >afer  than  when  all  scattered  aliout  ut  their 
own  hon<e^. 

On  a  certain  day  some  of  the  children  thns  co|](M'teil  came 
ruiniinij^  in  from  play  in  nreat  haste,  sayin;:,'  there  were  ui^ly 
red  men.  One  of  the  men  in  the  house  steppod  to  the  door, 
where  he  received  a  hall  in  ilio  side  of  his  hrcast,  whii'h  caused 
him  to  fall  hack  into  the  house.  The  Indian  was  innnediately 
in  over  him,  and  eni^arrod  with  another  man  who  was  in  the 
house.  The  man  tossed  the  Indian  on  a  hed,  and  called  lor  a 
knife  to  kill  him.  (Ohserve  these  were  all  the  n>en  that  were 
in  llu^  house.)  Now  Mrs.  Bozarth  appears  the  oidy  defettce, 
who,  not  linding  a  knife  at  hand,  took  up  an  axe  that  lay  by, 
and  with  one  hlow  cut  out  the  brains  of  the  Indian.  At  that 
instant,  (for  all  was  instantaneous,)  a  second  Indian  entered  the 
door,  and  shot  the  man  dead  who  was  en^aLifed  with  the  Indian 
on  the  beil.  Mrs.  Bozarth  turned  to  this  second  Indian,  and 
with  her  axe  j^ave  him  several  large  cuts,  some  of  which  let 
his  entrails  at  j)ear.  Ho  bawled  out,  murder,  nuirder.  On  this 
sundry  other  Indians  (who  Inid  hitherto  been  fully  employed, 
killiiiLT  some  children  out  of  doors)  cami;  rushini,^  to  his  relief; 
one  of  whose  heads  Mrs.  Bo/arth  clove  in  two  with  her  axe,  as 
he  stuck  it  in  at  the  door,  which  laid  him  (hit  upon  the  soil. 
Another  snatche(l  hold  of  the  wounded  heliowiiiu^  fellow,  and 
pulleil  him  out  of  doors,  and  Mrs.  Bozarth,  with  the  assistance 
of  the  man  who  was  lirst  shot  in  the  door,  and  by  this  time  a 
little  recovered,  shut  the  door  after  ihein.  and  made  ji  fast, 
where  they  kept  •.''arrison  for  several  days,  the  dead  while  man 
and  dead  Indian  both  in  the  house  with  tliem,  and  the  Indians 
about  the  house  l)esiei>-inu:  them.  At  length  they  were  relieved 
hy  a  party  sent  for  that  purpose. 

This  whole  affair,  to  shutting  the  door,  was  not  perhaps  more 
than  three  mimites  in  actincf. 


REV.  JOHN  CORBLY'S  NARRATIVE. 

Ti",  after  perusing  the  annexed  melancholy  narrative,  you 
deem  it  worthy  a  place  in  your  publication,  it  is  at  your  service. 
Such  communications,  founch'd  on  fact,  have  a  tendency  on  one 
hand  to  make  us  feel  for  the  persons  afflicted,  and  on  the  other 


:l 


i  i 


1 .  t« 


1:     !  ■  •■ 


H 


336 


REV.   JOHN    COJIBLY'S   NARRATIVE. 


to  impress  our  honrts  with  qratitude  to  the  Sovereicrn  Di.sposer 
of  all  event.s  for  that  t'lnaiicipation  which  the  United  States 
have  experienced  from  the  haughty  chaiuih;  of  Britain — a  pow- 
er, at  that  time,  so  1()>1  to  every  human  afleciion,  that,  rather 
than  not  suhdue  and  make  us  skives,  tliey  hasely  chose  to 
encourage,  patronize  and  reward,  as  their  most  faitliful  and 
beloved  allies,  the  savages  of  the  wilderness  ;  who,  without 
discrimination,  barbarously  massacred  the  industrious  husband- 
man, the  supplicating  female,  the  prattling  child  and  tender 
infant,  vainly  sheltered  within  the  encircling  arms  of  maternal 
fondness.  Such  transactions,  as  they  come  to  our  knowledge 
well  authenticated,  ought  to  be  recorded,  that  our  posterity  may 
not  be  ignorant  of  what  their  ancestors  underwent  at  the  try- 
ing period  of  our  national  exertions  for  American  independence. 
The  following  account  was,  at  my  request,  drawn  up  by  the 
unfortunate  suiferer.  Respecting  the  author,  suffice  it  to  saV; 
that  he  is  an  ordained  minister  of  tlie  Baptist  faith  and  order, 
and  i:eld  in  high  estimation  by  all  our  associated  churches. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &c., 

William  Rogers. 


Muddy  Creek,  Washiyigton  County,  July  8,  1785. 

Dear  Sir, — The  following  is  a  just  and  true  account  of  the 
tragical  scene  of  my  family's  falling  by  the  savages,  which  I 
related  when  at  your  house  in  Philadelphia,  and  you  re(|uested 
me  to  forward  in  writing. 

On  ihe  second  Sabbath  in  ]\iay,  in  the  year  1782,  being  my 
appointment  at  one  of  my  meeting-houses  about  a  mile  from 
my  dwell liig-house,  I  set  out  with  my  dear  wife  and  five  chil- 
dren, for  pui)lic  worship.  Not  suspecting  any  danger,  I  walked 
behind  two  luuidred  yards,  with  my  Bible  in  my  hand,  medi- 
tating: as  1  was  thus  employed,  all  on  a  sudden  I  was  greatly 
alarmed  with  the  frightful  shrieks  of  my  dear  family  before  me. 
I  immediately  ran  with  all  the  speed  I  could,  vainly  htmting  a 
club  as  I  ran,  till  1  got  within  forty  yards  of  them.  Mv  poor 
wife,  seeing  me,  cried  to  me  to  make  my  escape  ;  an  Indian 
ran  up  to  shoot  me.  I  had  to  strip,  and  by  so  doing  outran 
him.  My  dear  wife  had  a  siu'king  child  in  her  arms  ;  this 
little  inl'ant  {\\ox  killed  and  scalped.  They  th(Mi  struck  my 
wife  at  sundry  limes,  but  not  getting  her  down,  the  Indian  who 
had  aimed  to  shoot  me  ran  to  lu'r,  shot  he  tnrough  the  body, 
and  scalped  her.  My  little  boy,  an  only  son,  about  six  years 
old,  they  sunk  the  hatchet  into  his  brains,  and  thus  dispatched 
him.  A  daughter,  besides  the  infan',  they  also  killed  and 
scalped.     My  eldest  daughter,  who  is  yet  alive,  was  hid  in  a 


REV.   JOHN   COHELY'S  NARRATIVE. 


337 


[n  Dispof?er 
lilcd  States 
in — a  pow- 
ihai,  rather 
[y  chose  to 
fiii  ill  fill  and 
lio,    without 
us  husband- 
and   tender 
of  maternal 
knowledge 
Dsterity  may 
t   at  the  try- 
dependence. 
,^n  up  by  the 
ice  it  to  sav 
h  and  order, 
;hurches. 

I  Rogers. 


y  8,  1785. 

tcount  of  the 
ges,  which  I 
ou  re(iuested 

^2,  being  my 
a   mile  from 
md  five  chil- 
trer,  I  walked 
hand,  mcdi- 
was  greatly 
x'fore  me. 
y  hunting  a 
n.     Mv  poor 
an    Indian 
loing  outran 
arms  ;  this 
struck  my 
3  Indian  who 
rh  the  body, 
)ut  six  years 
js  dispatched 
o  kiUed  and 
was  hid  in  a 


y 


tree  about  twenty  yards  from  the  place  whore  the  rest  were 
killed,  and  saw  the  whole  proceedings.  She,  seeing  the  In- 
dians all  go  o(i'.  as  she  ihoiiiiht,  got  up  and  deliberately  crept 
out  from  the  hollow  trunk  ;  but  one  oi'  them  espying  iier,  ran 
hastily  up.  knocked  her  down  and  scalped  her;  also  her  only 
surviving  sister,  on  whose  head  they  did  not  leave  more  than 
one  inch  round,  either  of  flesh  or  skin,  besides  taking  a  piece 
out  of  her  skull.  She  and  the  before-mentioned  one  are  still 
miraculously  preserved,  though,  as  you  must  think,  I  have  had, 
and  still  have,  a  great  deal  of  trouble  and  expense  with  tliem, 
besides  anxiety  about  them,  insomuch  that  I  am,  as  to  worldly 
circumstances,  almost  ruined.  1  am  yet  in  hopes  of  seeing 
them  cured;  they  still,  blessed  be  God,  retain  their  senses,  not- 
withstanding the  painful  operations  they  have  already  antl  must 
yet  pass  tiirough.  At  the  time  I  ran  round  to  see  what  was 
become  of  my  family,  and  found  my  dear  and  allectionate  wife 
w'ith  five  children  all  scalped  in  less  than  ten  minutes  from  the 
first  outset.  No  one,  my  dear  brother,  can  conceive  how  I  felt ; 
this  you  may  well  suppose  was  killing  to  me.  I  instantly 
fainted  away,  and  was  borne  oU'  by  a  frientl,  who  by  this  time 
had  found  us  out.  When  I  recovered,  oh  the  anguish  of  my 
soul !  I  cried,  would  to  God  I  had  died  for  them  I  would  to 
God  I  had  died  with  them  !  O  how  dark  and  mysterious  did 
this  trying  providence  then  appear  to  me  !  but — 

'  Why  should  I  grieve,  when,  grieving,  I  must  bear  ?" 

This,  dear  sir,  is  a  faithful,  though  short  narrative  of  that 
fatal  catastrophe;  and  my  life  amidst  it  all,  for  wluit  purpose 
Jehovah  only  knows,  redeenu'd  from  surrounding  death.  Oh, 
may  1  spend  it  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  hi-  grace,  who  work- 
eth  all  things  after  the  council  of  his  own  will.  The  govern- 
ment of  the  world  and  of  the  church  is  in  his  hands.  INIay  it 
be  taught  the  important  lesson  of  acquiescing  in  all  his  dispen- 
sations. I  >.uncludo  wilh  wishing  you  every  blessing,  and 
subscribe  myself  your  affectionate,  though  alUicted  friend  and 
unworthy  brother  in  the  gospel  ministry, 

JOHN  COKBLY. 


29 


^IL'JJIi.,  .JUiJi 


I 


I  I 


338 


A  TRUE  AM)  WOMjF.UFUL  NARRATIVF^  OF  THF,  SURPRISING 
CAPTIVITV  AM)  RFMARKAliLK  DELIVERA,\CB  OF  MRS. 
FRANCIS  SCOTT,  AN  1NHAI5ITANT  OF  WASHINGTON  COUN- 
TV,  VIRGINIA,  WHO  WAS  TAKEN  HV  THE  INDIANS  OIV  THE 
E\  ENING  OF  THE  2'Jlh  OF  JUNE,  17^5. 


0.\  Wednesday,  the  29lh  day  of  June,  1785,  Jate  in  the 
evening,  a  lari^e  company  of  armed  men  passed  the  house  on 
tlieir  way  to  Kentucky,  some  part  of  \vh>om  encamped  \v'ithin 
two  miles.  ]\Ir.  Scott's  living"  on  a  frontier  part  generally  made 
the  family  watchful;  but  on  this  calamitous  day,  after  so  large 
a  body  of  men  had  passed,  ho  lay  down  in  his  bed,  and  im- 
prudently left  one  of  the  doors  of  his  house  open  ;  the  children 
were  also  in  bed  and  asleep.  Mrs.  Scott  was  nearly  undressed, 
when,  to  her  unutterable  astonishment  and  horror,  she  saw 
rushing  in  through  the  door,  that  was  left  open,  painted  sa- 
vages, with  their  arms  presented  at  the  same  lime,  raising  a 
hiiieous  shriek.  ]\Ir.  Scott,  being  awake,  instantly  jumped 
from  his  bed,  and  was  immediately  iired  at.  He  forced  his 
way  through  the  midst  of  the  enemy,  and  got  out  of  the  house, 
but  fell  a  few  paces  from  the  door.  An  Indian  seized  Mrs. 
Scott,  and  oidercd  her  to  a  particular  place,  charging  her  not  to 
move.  Others  stabbed  and  cut  the  throats  of  the  three  young- 
est children  in  their  bed,  and  afterwards  lifted  them  up,  and 
dashed  them  on  the  fioor  near  their  mother.  Tiie  eldest,  a 
beautiful  girl,  eight  years  of  age,  awoke,  and  jumping  out  of 
bed,  ran  to  her  mother,  and  with  the  most  plaintive  accents 
cried,  "  O  mamma  !  mamma  !  save  me  !  "  The  mother,  in  the 
deepest  anguish  of  sjiirit,  ana  with  a  flood  of  tears,  entreated 
the  Indians  to  spare  her  life;  but,  with  that  awfully  revolting 
brutality,  they  tomahawked  and  stabbed  her  in  htr  mother's 
arms  ! ! 

Adjacent  to  Mr.  Scott's  dwelling-house  another  family  lived 
of  the  name  of  Ball.  The  Indians  also  attacked  them  at  the 
same  time,  but  the  door  being  shut,  they  fired  into  the  house 
through  an  opening  between  the  logs  which  composed  its 
walls,  and  killed  a  lad,  and  then  essayed  to  force  open  the 
door  ;  but  a  brother  of  the  lad  which  had  been  shot  down  fired 
at  the  Indians  through  the  door,  and  they  relinquished  the 
attack.  In  the  mean  time  the  remaining  part  of  the  family  ran 
out  of  the  house  antl  escaped. 

In  the  house  of  Mr.  Scott  were  four  good  rifles,  well  loaded, 
belonging  to  ])eoplo  that  had  left  them  as  they  were  going  to 
Kentucky.     The  Indians,  thirteen  in  number,  seized  these,  and 


MRS.   SCOTT'S  CAPTIVI    ^. 


339 


SURPRISING 
E  OF  MRS. 
TON  COUN- 
NS  ON  THE 


lato  in  the 
le  house  on 
npcfl  within 
orally  made 
iter  so  large 
led,  and  im- 
the  children 
y  undressed, 
or,  she  saw 
painted  sa- 
le,  raisini^  a 
itly  jumped 
e  forced  his 
if  the  house, 
seized  Mrs. 
if^  her  not  to 
hree  young- 
lem  up,  and 
he  eldest,  a 
iping  out  of 
itive  accents 
other,  in  the 
rs,  entreated 
lly  rovoltinfT 
lOr  mother's 

family  lived 
them  at  the 
to  the  house 
ompnscd  its 
•ce  open  the 
)t  down  fired 
iquished  the 
ic  family  ran 

well  loaded, 
'ere  going  to 
?d  these,  and 


all  the  plunder  they  could  l;iy  their  luuids  on  besides,  and 
hastily  began  a  retreat  into  the  wilderness.  It  was  now  late 
in  the  evening,  anl  they  travelled  all  the  following  night. 
The  next  morning,  June  the  .'}Oih.  the  duel'  of  the  i)arty 
allotted  to  each  of  his  followers  his  share  of  the  ])lunU('r  :.ud 
prisoners,  at  the  ^ame  lime  detaching  nine  of  his  jiarty  tu  go 
on  a  horse-stealing  exj)e(lition  on  Clinch  river. 

Th(>  eleventh  day  after  Airs.  Scott's  caj)tivily,  four  Indians 
that  had  her  in  charge  stopped  at  a  place  lixi'd  on  fo"  reinlez- 
vous,  and  to  hunt,  being  now  in  great  warn  of  provisions. 
Three  of  these  four  set  out  on  the  hunting  expedition,  h'uxing 
their  chief,  an  old  man,  to  take  care  of  the  {)riscmer,  who  now 
had,  to  all  ap[)L'aranc('s,  beconu'  reconciled  to  her  situation, 
and  expressed  a  willingni.'ss  to  ])r()cei.'d  to  the  indiin  towns, 
which  seemed  to  liave  the  desired  ellect  of  lesseninir  her 
keeper's  watchfulness.  In  the  daytinie,  while  the  old  man 
was  graining  a  deer-skin,  Mrs.  Scolt,  jionderini;'  on  her  situa- 
tion, began  anxiously  to  look  for  an  o[)portunity  to  make  an 
escape.  At  length,  having  matured  hor  re-oluiion  in  her  own 
mind  for  the  accomplishment  ol'  this  object,  the  first  opportunity 
she  goes  to  the  old  chief  with  i^reat  confidence,  and  in  the  most 
disinterested  manner  asked  hitn  for  liberty  to  go  to  a  small 
t?tream,  a  little  distance  olf,  to  wash  the  l)lood  from  her  apron, 
that  had  remaint'd  upon  it  since  the  fatal  niL'ht,  caused  by  the 
murder  of  her  child  in  her  arms,  before  related.  He  replied, 
in  the  English  tongue,  "go  along."  She  then  passed  by  him, 
his  Hice  being  in  a  contrary  direction  from  that  she  was  going, 
and  he  very  busy  in  dressing  his  skin,  passed  on,  seemingly 
unnoticed  by  him. 

After  arriving  at  the  water,  inslerul  of  stopping  to  wash  her 
apron,  as  she  pretended,  she  proceeded  on  without  a  moment's 
delay.  She  laid  her  course  lor  a  high  barren  nu)untaiii  which 
was  in  sight,  and  travelled  until  lau*  at  night,  when  she  came 
down  into  the  valley  in  search  of  the  track  she  had  been  taken 
along  in  by  the  Indians  a  few  days  liefore,  hoping  thereby  to 
find  the  way  back'  to  the  settlement  without  the  imminent  peril, 
which  now  surrounded  her,  of  being  lost  and  perishing  with 
hunger  in  this  unknown  reiiion. 

On  coming  across  the  valley  to  the  side  of  a  river  wliich 
skirted  it,  supjjosed  to  be  the  easterly  liranch  of  Kentucky 
river,  she  observed  in  the  sand  tracks  of  two  men  that  had 
gone  up  the  river,  and  had  just  returned.  She  concluded 
these  to  have  been  her  pursuers,  which  excited  in  her  breast 
emotions  of  gratitude  and  thankfulness  to  divine  Providence 
for  so  timely  a  deliverance.  Being  without  any  provisions, 
having  no  kind  oJ  ^veapon  or  tool  to  assist  her  in  getting  any, 


340 


MRS.   SCOTT'S  CAPTIVITY. 


i     I    ' 
I 


i 


f:i 


\*'\ 


h     I 


and  almost  desliliUt'  of  clolhinci';  al^o  knowintr  that  a  vast 
tract  of  rugged  high  inouiilaiiis  intervened  l)el\vcen  where  she 
was  and  the  inhabitants  easterly,  and  siie  almost  as  ignorant 
as  a  child  of  the  method  of  steering  through  the  woods,  excited 
painful  sensations.  But  certain  death,  cither  by  hunirer  or 
wild  beasts,  seemed  to  be  better  than  to  be  in  the  power  of 
beings  who  excited  in  her  mind  such  horror.  She  addressed 
Heaven,  and  taking  courage,  proceeded  onward. 

After  travelling  three  days,  she  had  nearly  met  with  the 
Indians,  as  she  supposed,  that  had  l)eeu  sent  to  Clinch  river  to 
steal  horses,  but  providentially  hearing  their  approach,  con- 
cealed herself  among  the  cane  until  they  had  passed  by  her. 
This  giving  her  a  fresh  alarm,  and  In  mind  being  fdb^d  with 
consternation,  she  got  lost,  proceeded  ijackwards  and  forwards 
for  several  days.  At  length  she  came  to  a  river  that  seemed 
to  come  from  the  east.  Concluding  it  was  Sandy  river,  she 
accordingly  resolved  to  trace  it  to  its  source,  which  is  adjacent 
to  the  Clinch  settlement.  After  proceeding  up  the  same 
several  days  she  came  to  the  point  where  it  runs  through  the 
great  Laurel  mountain,  where  there  is  a  prodigious  waterfall 
and  high  craggy  cliils  along  the  water's  edge  ;  that  way  seemed 
imprissable,  tiie  mountain  steep  and  ditlicult;  however,  our 
mournful  traveller  concluded  the  latter  way  was  best.  She 
therefore  ascended  for  some  time,  but  coming  to  a  lofty  range 
of  iuaccessible  rocks,  she  turned  her  course  towards  the  foot 
of  the  mountain  and  the  river-side.  After  getting  into  a  deep 
gully,  and  passing  over  several  high  steep  rocks,  she  reached 
the  river-side,  where,  to  her  inexpressible  alHiction,  she  found 
that  a  perpendicular  rock,  or  rather  one  that  hung  over,  to 
the  height  of  fifteen  or  twenty  feet,  formed  the  bank.  Here  a 
solemn  pause  ensued.  She  essayed  to  return,  but  the  height 
of  the  steeps  and  rocks  she  had  descended  over  prevented  her. 
She  then  returned  to  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  and  viewing 
the  bottom  of  it  as  the  certain  .<pot  to  end  all  her  troubles,  or 
remain  on  the  top  to  pine  away  with  hunger,  or  be  devoured 
by  wild  beasts. 

After  serious  meditation  and  devout  exercises,  she  deter- 
mined on  leaping  from  the  height,  and  accordingly  jumped 
off.  Now,  although  the  place  she  had  to  alight  upon  was 
covered  with  uneven  rocks,  not  a  bone  was  broken,  but  being 
exceedingly  stunned  by  the  fall,  she  remained  unable  to  pro- 
ceed for  some  time. 

The  dry  season  had  caused  the  river  to  ho  shallow.  She 
travelled  in  it,  and,  where  she  could,  by  its  edge,  until  she  got 
through  the  mountain,  which  she  thought  Avas  several  miles. 
After  this,  as  she  was  travelling  along  the  bank  of  the  river,  a 


MRS.  SCOTT'S  CAriivriY. 


341 


lat  a  vast 
where  she 
;<  ignorant 
(Is,  excited 
huuiifcr  or 
jiower  of 
addres^icd 

,   with   the 
"h  river  to 
oacli,  con- 
ed by  her. 
lillcd  with 
I  forwards 
at  seemed 
river,  she 
s  adjacent 
the   same 
irouo-li  the 
s  waterfall 
ay  seemed 
rover,  our 
est.     She 
Dfty  rani^e 
Is  the  foot 
ito  a  deep 
e  reached 
she  found 
t;-  over,  to 
Here  a 
he  height 
LMited  her. 
viewing 
oubles,  or 
devoured 

he  deter- 
y  jumped 
upon  was 
but  being- 
e  to  pro- 


rw.     She 

she  got 


li 


al  miles, 
c  river,  a 


venomous  snake  hit  her  on  the  ankle.  She  had  strciejlh  to 
kill  it,  and  knowin  ;  its  kind,  concluded  death  nni.<i  mh>u  over- 
take her. 

By  this  time  Mrs.  Scott  was  redui-ed  to  a  iiiero  skeleton 
with  fatigue,  hunger,  and  grief.  I'robahly  this  reduced  ^late 
of  her  system  saved  iier  from  the  eliecls  of  the  poison  I'anus  of 
the  snake  ;  be  that  as  it  may,  so  it  was,  licit  very  little  jiain 
succeeded  the  bite,  and  what  little  swelling  there  was  fell  into 
her  feet. 

Our  wanderer  now  left  the  river,  and  after  proceeding  a 
good  distance  she  came  to  where  the  valley  ])arted  into  two, 
each  leading  a  ditierent  course.  Here  a  painful  suspense  took 
place  again.  How  truly  forlorn  was  now  the  case  of  this  poor 
woman!  almost  ready  to  sink  down  from  exhaustion,  who 
had  nov\'  the  only  prospect  left  that,  either  in  the  right  or 
Avrong  uireciion,  her  remaining  ^treni^th  could  not  carry  her 
long,  i>or  but  very  little  way,  and  she  beuran  to  despair — and 
;ho  wotild  not — of  ever  again  beholding  the  face  of  any  human 
creature.  But  the  most  awful  and  seemingly  certain  dangers 
are  sometimes  providentially  averted. 

While  her  mind  was  thus  agitated,  a  beautiful  bird  passed 
close  by  her,  fluttering  slowly  along  near  the  ground,  and  very 
remarkably  took  its  course  onward  in  one  of  the  valleys  before 
spoken  of.  This  drew  her  attention,  and,  while  pondering 
upon  what  it  might  mean,  another  bird  like  the  first,  in  the 
same  manner,  passed  by  her,  and  followed  the  same  valley. 
She  now  took  it  for  granted  that  this  was  her  course  also; 
and,  wonderful  to  relate,  in  two  days  after  she  had  wandered 
in  sight  of  the  settlement  on  Clinch  river,  called  New  (Jarden. 
Thus,  in  the  third  month  of  her  captivity,  she  was  unexpect- 
edly though  joyfully  relieved  from  the  dreadful  imperuling  death 
by  {limine.  But  had  she  taken  the  other  valley,  she  never 
could  have  returned.  The  day  of  lier  arrival  at  New  Garden 
was  August  11th. 

Mrs.  Scott  relates  that  the  Indians  told  her  that  the  pa/ty 
with  whom  she  was  a  captive  was  composed  of  ibur  diflereiU 
nations;  two  of  whom,  she  thinks,  were  Delawares  and  Min- 
goes.  She  further  relates  that,  durinu'  a  full  month  of  her 
wanderings,  viz.  from  July  10th  to  Auirust  11th,  she  had  no 
other  food  to  subsist  u))on  but  what  she  derived  from  chewing 
and  swallowing  the  juice  of  yountj'  cane  stalks,  sassafras  leaves, 
and  some  other  plants  of  which  she  ktu'w  not  the  names;  that 
on  her  journey  she  saw  buffaloes,  elks,  deers,  arul  IriMpiently 
bears  and  wolves,  iu)t  one  of  which,  although  some  passed  very 
near  her,  olTeTed  her  the  least  harm.  One  day  a  bear  came 
near  her  with  a  yountr  fawn  in   his  mouth,  and  on  discovering 

29* 


if 


342 


CAPT.  HUBBELL'S  NARRATIVE. 


her  h(i  dropped,  his  prey  and  ran  off.  Prompted  \>y  the  keen 
l)angs  of  huni^er,  she  advanced  to  seize  upijn  it,  but  fearinjr  the 
bear  mi<rht  return,  she  turned  away  in  despair,  and  pursued 
her  course;  thus  5-j)arinfr  li^r  leelinii's,  naturally  averse  to  raw 
flesh,  at  the  expense  of  increasing  Jiunger. 

Mrs.  Scott  continues*  in  a  low  state  of  health,  and  remains 
unconsoiable  for  the  loss  of  her  family,  particularly  bewailing 
the  cruel  death  of  her  little  daughter. 


I 


i 


m 


A    NARRATIVE 

OP  THE  DESPERATE  ENCOUNTER  AND  ESCAPE  OF  CAPT.  WM. 
HUBBELL  EROjM  THE  INDIANS  WHILE  DESCENDING  THE 
OHIO  RIVER  IN  A  BOAT  WITH  OTHERS,  IN  THE  VEAR  1791. 
Ori^iiiiiUy  set  fi>nh  in  tiic  Western  Review,  and  afterwf  rds  republished  by 
Dr.  Metcalf,  in  liis  "Narratives  of  Indian  Warfare  in  the  West." 

In  the  y(^ar  1791,  while  the  Indians  were  yet  troublesome, 
especially  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  Capt.  William  Hubbell, 
who  had  previously  emiirrated  to  Kentucky  from  the  state  of 
Vermont,  and  who,  after  having  fixed  his  family  in  the  neigh- 

*At  the  time  the  original  narrative  was  written.    It  was  printed  in 
1786.— Ed.  ^ 


CAPT.   HUBBELLS   NARilATIVE. 


343 


he  keen 
riiis,^  the 
pursued 
i  to  raw 


remains 
availing 


PT.  WM. 
XG  THE 

:AR  1791. 
blished  by 


blesome, 

Hubbell, 

state  of 

e  neigh- 

)rinted  in 


borhood  of  Frankfort,  then  a  frontier  settlement,  had  been  com- 
pelled to  go  to  the  eastward  on  bu^sill(_■r;s,  was  now  a  second 
time  on  liis  way  to  this  country.  On  one  of  the  lrii)uiary 
streams  of  the  iMonongahela,  he  procured  a  llat-botloiued  boat, 
and  embarked  in  company  with  Mr.  Daniel  Light  and  Mr. 
Wm.  Plascut  and  his  family,  consisting  of  a  wile  and  eii>:ht 
children,  destined  for  Limestone,  Kentucky. 

On  their  passage  down  the  river,  and  soon  after  passiuo- 
Pittsburgh,  they  saw  evident  traces  of  Indians  along  the  banks, 
and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  a  boat  which  they 
overtook,  and  which,  through  carelessness,  was  suffered  to  run 
aground  on  an  island,  became  a  prey  to  these  merciless  sa- 
vages. Though  Capt.  Hubbell  and  his  parly  stopped  some 
time  for  it  in  a  lower  part  of  the  river,  it  did  not  arrive,  and  it 
has  never,  to  their  knowledge,  been  heard  of. 

Before  they  reached  the  mouth  of  the  great  Kenhawa  they 
had,  by  several  successive  additions,  increased  their  number  to 
twenty  persons,  consisting  of  nine  men,  three  women,  and 
eight  children.  The  men,  besides  those  mentioned  above, 
were  one  John  Storer,  an  Irishman  and  a  Dutchman  whose 
names  are  not  recollected,  Messrs.  Ray  and  Tucker,  and  a  Mr. 
Kilpatrick,  whose  two  daughters  also  were  of  the  party.  In- 
formation received  at  Galliopolis  coniirmed  the  expectation, 
which  appearances  had  previously  raised,  of  a  serious  cojiHict 
with  a  large  body  of  Indians  ;  and  as  Capt.  Hubbell  had  been 
regularly  appointed  commander  of  the  boat,  every  possible 
preparation  was  made  for  a  formidable  and  successful  resist- 
ance of  the  anticipated  attack.  The  nine  men  were  divitled 
into  three  watches  for  the  night,  wliich  were  alternately  to 
continue  awake,  and  be  on  the  lookout  for  two  hours  at  a  lime. 

The  arms  on  board,  which  consisted  principally  of  old  mus- 
kets much  out  of  order,  were  collected,  put  in  the  best  possible 
condition  for  service,  and  loaded.  At  about  sunset  on  that 
day,  the  23d  of  March,  1791,  our  party  overtook  a  fleet  of  six 
boats  descending  the  river  in  company,  and  intended  to  have 
continued  with  them ;  but  as  their  passengers  seemed  to  be 
more  disposed  to  dancing  than  fighting,  and  as,  soon  after 
dark,  notwithstanding  the  remonstrances  of  Capt.  Hubbell, 
the}''  commenced  fiddling  and  drinking,  instead  of  preparing 
their  arms  and  takin"-  the  necessary  rest  preparatory  to  battle, 
it  was  wisely  considered,  by  Capt.  Hubbell  and  his  company, 
far  more  hazardous  to  have  such  companions  than  to  proceed 
alone.  Hence  it  was  determined  to  press  rapidly  forward  by 
aid  of  the  oars,  and  to  leave  those  thoughtless  fellow-travellers 
behind.  One  of  the  boats,  however,  belonging  to  the  fleet, 
commanded  by  a  Capt.  Greathouse,  adopted  the   same  plan, 


V 


344 


CAPT.   IiaBliELL'S   NAUlJATiVE. 


and  for  a  while  kfpt  up  with  Capt.  Huhboll,  but  all  its  crew  at 
leiip^tli  lUlliiii;  asltM'p,  iliiit  boat  also  ct'ascil  lo  be  propfllecl  by 
tlie  oars,  and  Capl.  Hubbell  and  his  party  proc(M'd('(l  slc-adily 
forward  ahnie.  Early  in  the  nitiht  a  ciinoe  was  dimly  seen 
floating'  down  the  river,  in  which  were  probably  Indians  recon- 
noiterini';,  and  other  evident  indications  were  observed  of  the 
neighltorhood  and  hostile  intentions  of  a  formidable  jxirty  of 
savages. 

It  was  now  agreed  that  should  the  attack,  as  was  probable, 
be  deferred  till  morning,  every  man  should  be  up  before  the 
dawn,  in  order  to  make  as  great  a  show  as  possible  of  nnnd)crs 
and  of  strength;  and  that,  whenever  the  action  should  take 
place,  the  women  and  children  should  lie  down  on  the  cabin 
floor,  and  be  protected  as  well  as  they  could  by  the  trunks  and 
other  baggage,  wliich  might  be  placed  around  them.  In  this 
perilous  situation  they  continued  during  the  niglit,  and  the  cap- 
lain,  who  liad  not  slept  more  than  one  hour  since  he  left  Pitts- 
burgh, was  too  deeply  impressed  with  the  imminent  ilanger 
which  surrounded  them  to  obtain  any  rest  at  that  time. 

Just  as  daylight  began  to  appear  in  the  east,  and  Ixdore  the 
men  were  up  and  at  their  posts  agreeably  to  arrangement,  a  voice, 
at  some  distance  below  them,  in  a  plaintive  tone,  repeatedly 
solicited  them  to  come  on  shore,  as  there  were  some  white 
persons  who  wished  to  obtain  a  passage  in  their  boat.  This 
the  captain  very  naturally  and  correctly  concluded  to  be  an 
Indian  artifice,  and  its  only  effect  was  to  rouse  the  men,  and 
place  every  one  on  his  guard.  The  voice  of  entreaty  was  soon 
changed  into  the  language  of  indignation  and  insult,  and  the 
sound  of  distant  paddles  announced  the  savage  foe.  At  length 
three  Indian  canoes  were  seen  through  the  mist  of  the 
morning,  rapidly  advancing.  With  the  utmost  coolness  the 
captain  and  his  companions  prepared  to  receive  them.  The 
chairs,  tables,  and  other  incumbrances  were  thrown  into  the 
river,  in  order  to  clear  the  deck  for  action.  Every  man  took 
his  position,  and  was  ordered  not  to  fire  till  the  savages  had 
approached  so  near  that,  (to  use  the  words  of  Capt.  Hubbell,) 
"  the  flash  from  the  guns  might  singe  their  eyebrows  ;"  and  a 
(Special  caution  was  given  that  the  men  should  fire  successively, 
so  that  there  might  be  no  interval. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  canoes,  they  were  fo\md  to  contain 
about  twenty-five  or  thirty  Indians  each.  As  soon  as  they  had 
approached  Avithin  the  reach  of  musket-shot,  a  general  fire  was 
given  from  one  of  them,  which  wounded  Mr.  Tucker  through 
the  hip  so  severely  that  his  leg  hung  only  by  the  fle-h,  and 
shot  Mr.  Light  just  below  his  ribs.  The  three  canoes  placed 
themselves  at  the  bow,  stern,  and  on  the  right  side  of  the  boat, 


I 


\ 


I 


CAPT.  HUBBELLS  NAIIKATIVE. 


345 


Is  new  at 
opf'lled  by 
(1  steadily 
limly  seen 
aiis  recon- 
vod  of  the 
-■  i)iirty  of 

3  probable, 
before  the 
»f  immbcrs 
lould  take 

the  rabin 
runks  and 
1.  Ill  this 
1(1  th"'  ("iip- 
"  IcH  Pitts- 
'iif  tianger 
iTie. 

before  the 
Mit,n  voice, 
repeatedly 
ome  white 
3at.     This 

to  be  an 

men,  and 
V  was  soon 
It,  and  the 

At  length 
ist  of  the 
olness  the 
em.  The 
n  into  the 

man  took 
Lvages  had 

Hubbell,) 
rs  ;"  and  a 
ccessively, 

to  contain 
s  they  had 
al  fire  was 
er  through 

fle.-h,  and 
oes  placed 
if  the  boat, 


so  that  they  had  an  opportunity  of  rakini'-  in  every  direction. 
The  lire  now  coniinem'ed  from  the  boat,  and  liiid  a  powerful 
ellect  in  che(dvinir  the  conlideiice  and  fury  of  tln^  liidiaii>.  The 
captain,  after  liring  his  own  gun,  took  up  that  of  one  of  the 
wounded  men,  raised  it  to  his  shoulder,  and  was  aboiii  to  dis- 
charge it,  when  a  biill  came  and  took  away  the  lock  of  it.  He 
coolly  tnnipd  around.  seiz(>d  a  brand  of  (ire  from  tbe  kettle 
M'liicli  had  serveil  for  ;i  cai)oose,  and  applyiniz  it  to  the  pan, 
discharged  the  piev.e  with  elFect.  A  very  reunilar  and  constant 
firi;  was  now  kept  up  on  both  sidf.-s.  Tiie  captain  was  just  in 
the  act  of  raising  his  gun  a  third  lime,  when  a  ball  passed 
through  his  ritrht  arm,  atul  for  a  nutmeiit  (li>ahl('(j  him. 
Scarcely  had  he  recovered  from  the  shock,  and  re-acipiiri'd  the 
use  of  his  hand,  which  liiul  Ihmmi  suddenly  dr;iwii  up  h\-  the 
wound,  wIkmi  he  observed  the  Indians  in  one  of  the  canoes  just 
about  to  hoard  the  boat  in  the  i)ow,  where  the  horses  were 
placed  beloiiLring  to  the  company.  So  near  bad  they  :ip- 
proacheil,  that  some  of  them  had  actually  seized  witli  their 
hands  the  side  of  the  boat.  Severely  wounded  as  he  was, 
be  caught  up  a  pair  of  horseman's  pistols  and  rushed  t'orward 
to  repel  the  attempt  at  boarding.  On  his  approach  the  Indians 
fell  bock,  and  he  discharged  one  of  the  pistols  with  ellect  at 
the  foremost  man.  After  liring  the  second  pistol,  h(^  found 
himself  with  usrjess  arms,  and  was  compelled  to  retreat  ;  but 
stepjiing  back  upon  a  pile  of  small  wood  which  had  been  pre- 
pared for  burning  in  the  kettle,  the  thought  struck  him  that  it 
might  be  made  use  of  in  repelling  the  foe,  and  he  continued 
for  some  time  to  strike  with  it  so  Ibrcibly  and  actively  that 
they  were  unable  to  enter  the  boat,  and  at  length  he  wounded 
one  of  them  so  severely  that  with  a  yell  they  suddenly  gave 
way. 

All  the  canoes  instantly  discontinued  the  contest,  and  di- 
rected their  course  to  Capt.  Great!) ouse's  boat,  which  was  tlien 
in  sioht.  Hert!  a  strikiiiij  contrast  was  exhii)ited  to  the  lirm- 
ness  and  intrepidity  which  had  just  been  displayed.  Instead 
of  resisting  the  attack,  the  people  on  board  of  that  boat  retired 
to  the  cabin  in  dismay.  The  Indians  entered  it  without  oppo- 
sition, and  rowed  it  to  the  shore,  where  they  instantly  killed 
the  captain  and  a  lad  of  about  fourteen  years  of  age.  The 
women  they  placed  in  the  centre  of  their  canoes,  and  manning 
them  with  fresh  hands,  again  pursued  Capt.  Hubbell.  A 
melancholy  alternative  now  presented  itself  to  these  brave  but 
almost  desponding  men,  either  to  fall  a  prey  to  the  savages 
themselves,  or  to  run  the  risk  of  shooting  the  women  who  had 
been  placed  in  the  canoes  in  the  hope  of  deriving  protection 
from  their  presence.     But  "  self-preservation  is  the  first  law  of 


i^ 


h 


346 


CAPT.   IIUBBELLS  NAUllATIVE. 


nature,"  and  ihu  captiiin  very  justly  riMiiiirkcd  "  tliat  there 
would  not  bo  much  huuiauiiy  in  prcsorviuL,''  ihfir  lives  at  such 
a  sacritice,  nuToly  that  th'-y  'nii^rlii  |«L-couie  victhus  of  savage 
cruelly  at  some  subs('(|uent  p       )d.'' 

There  were  now  hut  four  i,  <.  left  on  board  of  Caj)!.  Hub- 
bell's  boat  capable  of  defeudimr  it,  anti  the  captain  hinr-elf 
was  severely  wounded  in  two  places.  The  second  attack, 
nevertheless,  was  resir^ted  with  almost  incrediblo  lirmness  and 
viiror.  Whenever  the  Indians  would  rise  to  lire,  their  oppo- 
nents would  coumionly  cfive  them  the  first  shot,  which,  in 
almost  every  instance,  would  prove  fatal.  No!\villl^lalHlinf( 
the  disparity  of  luaubors,  and  the  exhausted  con<liii()n  ol'  the 
defenders  of  the  boat,  the  Indians  at  len^^h  appeared  to  des- 
|)air  of  success,  and  the  canoes  successively  returned  fo  the 
shore.  Just  as  the  last  one  was  departiuir,  (^apt.  Iliil)bell 
called  to  the  Indian  who  was  standinq"  in  the  stern,  and,  on  his 
lurnin<j^  ro\ind,  discharii^ed  his  j)iece  at  iiim.  \\  iien  the  smoke, 
which  for  a  moment  obscured  their  vision,  was  dissipated,  he 
was  seen  lying  on  his  back,  and  a})per.ied  to  be  severely 
wounded,  jierhaps  mortally. 

Unfcirtimately,  the  boat  now  drifted  near  to  the  siiore,  where 
the  Indians  had  collected,  and  a  large  concourse,  probably 
between  four  and  five  hundred,  were  seen  running  down  on 
the  baidc.  Ray  and  Plascut,  the  only  men  remaininir  uidmrt, 
were  j)laced  at  the  oars  ;  and  as  the  boat  was  not  more  than 
twenty  yards  from  the  shore,  it  was  deemed  prudent  for  all  to 
lie  down  in  as  safe  a  position  as  possible,  and  attemi)t  to  push 
forward  with  the  utmost  practicable  rajiidity.  ^V'^llile  they 
continued  in  this  situation,  nine  balls  were  shot  into  one  oar, 
and  ten  into  another,  without  wounding  the  rowers,  who  were 
hid  from  view  and  protected  by  the  side  of  the  boat  and  blank- 
ets in  the  stern.  During  this  dreadful  exposure  to  the  (ire  of 
the  savai^es,  which  continued  about  twenty  minutes,  Mr.  Kil- 
patrick  observed  a  particular  Indian,  whom  he  thought  a 
favorable  mark  for  his  rifle,  and,  notwithstanding  the  solemn 
warning  of  Capt.  Hubbell,  rose  up  to  shoot  him.  He  imme- 
diately received  a  ball  in  his  mouth,  whi(di  passed  out  at  the 
back  part  of  his  head,  and  was  also,  almost  at  the  same  instant, 
shot  through  the  heart.  He  fell  down  among  the  horses  that 
were  about  the  same  time  shot  down  likewise ;  and  thus  was 
presented  to  his  afflicted  daughters  and  fellow-travellers,  who 
were  witnesses  of  the  awful  occurrence,  a  spec*  'cle  of  horror 
which  we  need  not  further  attempt  to  describe. 

The  boat  was  now  providentially  and  suddenly  carried  out 
into  the  middle  of  the  stream,  and  taken  by  the  current  be- 
yond the  reach  of  the  enemy's  balls.     Our  little  band,  reduced 


I 


CAPT.   IIUnnEIJ/S   XARKATIVE. 


317 


iluu   tlicrc 
,'L's  ai  such 


,>>iivuge 


'api.  Hub- 
ill  llilU:-(-'lf 
uid  allaok, 
iimcss  and 
llicir  (t|ipu- 
uliifh,  ill 
iili.slaiHliiii,'' 
lion  ul'  tlie 
reil  to  <les- 
llt'tl    U)   tlio 

)t.  Hul.lK.'ll 
uul,  (111  his 
the  Miioke, 
sipatcd,  he 
)c   severely 

lore,  where 
;,  prcthably 
g  ch)\vii  on 
iiiu-  unhurt, 

more  ilian 
lit  lor  all  to 
11  pi  to  push 
Vliile  they 
ito  one  oar, 
,  who  were 
and  blank- 

the  fire  of 
!s,  Mr.  Kil- 

thoui>ht  a 
the  solemn 

He  iinme- 
1  out  at  the 
me  instant, 
horses  that 
id  thus  was 
ellers,  who 
e  of  horror 

carried  out 
current  be- 
nd, reduced 


as  they  were  in  number?!,  wonndod.  atlliftfd,  and  almost  ex- 
hausted by  fatii,Mie,  were  still  iinsubdiifd  in  spirit,  and  bidiiy 
asseiiiblt'd  in  all  th(?ir  slrriiLMli,  inrn,  w<nnen,  and  children, 
with  an  appearance;  of  triumph,  Lrave  tlufe  hearty  cheers, 
callne^r  the  Indians  to  come  on  again  if  they  were  fond  of 
spori. 

Thus  ended  this  awful  conflict,  in  wliirli,  out  of  nine  men, 
two  only  escaped  unhurt.  Tucker  and  Kiljiatric  were  killed 
on  the  spot,  Slorer  was  mortally  wounded,  and  died  on  his 
arrival  at  Limestone,  and  all  the  rest,  excepting  iiixy  and  I'las- 
cut,  were  severely  wounded.  The  women  and  children  were 
all  uninjured,  except  a  little  son  of  Air.  I'lascnt,  who,  after  the 
battle  was  over,  came  to  the  captain,  and  with  great  coolness 
recjuested  him  to  take  a  hall  out  of  his  head.  On  examination 
it  appeared  that  a  bullet,  which  had  passed  throuijh  the  side 
of  the  boat,  had  penetrated  th(>  forehead  of  this  little  hero, 
and  remained  under  the  skin.  The  captain  took  it  out,  and  sup- 
posing this  was  all,  as  in  good  reason  he  might,  was  about  to 
bestow  his  attention  on  some  other  momentous  atiiiir,  when  the 
little  boy  observed,  "  That  is  not  n//,  captain,"  and  raising  his 
arm,  exhibited  a  piece  of  bone  at  the  point  rd"  his  elbow,  which 
had  been  shot  off,  and  hung  only  by  the  skin.  His  mother,  to 
whom  the  whole  affair  seems  before  to  have  been  unknown, 
but  being  now  present,  ex(daimed,  "  Why  did  you  not  tell  me 
of  this?"  "Because,"  replied  the  son,  "  the  captain  ordered 
us  to  be  silent  during  the  light,  and  I  thought  you  would  make 
a  noise  if  I  told  you  of  it." 

The  boat  made  the  best  of  its  way  down  the  river,  and  the 
object  was  to  reach  Limestone  that  niu'ht.  The  captain's  arm 
had  bled  profusely,  and  he  was  comprdled  to  close  the  sleeve 
of  his  coat  in  order  to  retain  the  blood  and  stop  its  effusion. 

In  this  situation,  tormented  by  (wcruciating  pain,  and  faint 
throu<Th  loss  of  blood,  he  was  under  the  nect^ssity  of  steering 
the  boat  with  his  left  arm  till  about  ten  o'clock  that  niefht, 
when  he  was  relieved  by  Mr.  Wm.  Brooks,  who  resided  on 
the  bank  of  the  river,  and  who  was  induced  by  the  calls  of  the 
sullering  party  to  come  out  to  their  assistance.  By  his  aid, 
and  that  of  some  other  persons  Avho  were  in  the  same  manner 
brought  to  their  relief,  they  were  enabled  to  reach  Limestone 
about  twelve  o'clock  that  night. 

Immediately  on  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Brooks,  Capt.  Hub])ell, 
relieved  from  labor  and  responsibility,  sunk  under  the  weiyht 
of  pain  and  fatigue,  and  become  for  a  while  totally  insensible. 
When  the  boat  reached  Limestone,  he  found  himself  unable  to 
walk,  and  was  obliged  to  be  carried  up  to  the  tavern.     Here 


II  r 


l| 


M       I 


M 


li 


I 


I 


i; 


348 


CAPT.   IIUBBELL'S  NABBATIVK. 


he  bnrl  his  wnund  drossod,  nnd  roiitinno(l  several  day;?,  until 
he  a<'(|uinnl  sullicifMit  sireni^lli  to  procHM-d  liomowiirds. 

On  the  iirriviil  of  our  parly  iit  liijiirstotic,  ilicy  lound  n  eon- 
sidfialilc  (ori'o  ol  armed  iim-ii  altniii  to  march  aL'ain>i  the  .■^ame 
liiiiiaiis,  Irom  whose  altaclcs  lliey  had  ^o  scveridy  sullered. 
They  now  learned  that,  the  Sunday  ijreccdini:,  th<'  same  party 
of  saviij^es  had  iiit  (dfa  deijudiment  of  men  ascendinijf  the  Ohio 
from  fort  Washington,  at  the  month  of  Lick'in<^  river,  ;uid  had 
killed  with  their  tomahawks,  without  lirin<f  a  ijiui,  Iweiily-uiio 
out  of  twenty-two  men,  of  which  the  detaohment  consisted. 

Crowih  of  people,  as  mii,dit  be  expected,  came  to  witness 
the  boat  which  had  been  the  scene  of  so  much  heroism,  snfli'r- 
inir,  and  horrid  carnai^c,  and  to  visit  the  resolute  little  band  by 
whom  it  had  h(!en  so  gallantly  and  successfully  defended.  On 
examination  it  was  found  tlint  the  sides  of  the  boat  were  lite- 
rally hlled  with  bullets  and  with  bullet-holes.  There  was 
scarcely  a  space  o(  two  feet  S(pi;ire,  in  the  part  above  water, 
which  had  not  either  a  ball  remainini^  in  it  or  a  hole  ihrouirh 
which  a  ball  had  passed.  Some  persons,  who  had  the  curi- 
osity to  count  the  number  of  holes  in  the  blankets  which 
were  hung  up  as  curtains  in  the  stern  of  the  l)oat,  aflirmed 
that  in  the  space  of  five  feet  stpiare  there  were  one  hundred 
and  twenty-two.  Four  horses  out  of  hvc  were  killed,  and  the 
escape  of  the  fifth  amidst  such  a  shower  of  balls  appears  almost 
miraculous. 

The  day  a.^'ler  the  arrival  of  Capt.  Hubbell  and  his  com- 
panions, the  live  remainincc  boats,  which  they  had  passed  on 
the  niu:lit  preccdiny"  the  battle,  reached  Limestone.  Those  on 
board  remarked  that  durinir  the  action  they  distinctly  saw  the 
flashes,  but  could  not  hear  the  reports  of  the  guns.  The  In- 
dians, it  appears,  had  met  with  too  formidable  a  resistance 
from  a  single  boat  to  attack  a  fleet,  and  sufl'ereil  them  to  pass 
unmolested  :  and  since  that  time  it  is  believed  that  no  boat 
has  been  assailed  by  Indians  on  the  Ohio. 

The  force  which  marched  out  to  disperse  this  formidable 
body  ol  savages  discovered  several  Indians  dead  on  the  shore 
neai*  the  scene  of  action.  They  also  found  the  bodies  of  Capt. 
Greathouse  and  several  others,  men,  women,  and  children, 
who  had  been  on  board  of  his  boat.  Most  of  them  a])peared 
to  have  been  whipped  to  death,  as  they  were  lound  stripped, 
tied  to  trees,  and  marked  with  the  appearance  of  lashes,  and 
large  rods  which  seemed  to  have  been  worn  with  use  were 
observed  lying  near  them. 

Such  is  the  plain  narrative  of  a  transaction  that  may  serve 
as  a  specimen  of  the  difficulties  and  dangers  to  which,  but  a 
few  years  since,  the  inhabitants  of  this  now  flourishing  and 
beautiful  country  were  constantly  exposed. 


I 


•  Ifivs  until 


3U» 


iiiid  !i  con- 
■i  ilic  >atTii' 
y  Miir»'rrd. 
same  i)iirty 
!'.(  tlif  Ohio 
■r,  !iM(l  hiul 
t\v<Mily-nnc 
Iisislrd. 

to  witness 
iMii,  suIHt- 
tli;  liMMil  l)y 

luled.  On 
t  wvTc  lite- 
T I  If  TO  was 
Itove  wuicr, 
)le  thronirh 
(I  ilu'  curi- 
vcts  which 
It,  aliirincd 
ie  huiulred 
ed,  and  tho 
)ears  ahnost 

d  his  com- 
l  passed  on 
Th.ose  on 
•tly  saw  tho 
^.  The  In- 
i  resistance 
lein  to  pass 
hat  no  boat 

formidable 
n  the  shore 
ies  of  Capt. 
id  chihlren, 
m  appeared 
id  stripped, 

lashes,  and 
h  use  were 

t  may  serve 
ihich,  but  a 
rishing  and 


I 


I 


AN    A  C  C  O  U  i\  T 

OF  THE  SUFFERINGS  OK  INIASSV  HKlinESON,  AND  HKK  FAMILY, 
WHO  VVKIIE  TAKEN  PIIISONEKS  HV  A  PARTY  OF  r.NDI.WS. 
GIVEN  ON  OATH  I'.EFOKE  JOHN  WILKINS,  ESU  ,  ONE  OF 
THE  .IUSTICi:s  OF  THE  IM'.ACE  FOR  THE  COMMONWEALTH 
OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Pittsburgh,  May  L^,  1792. 

Massy  ITi:t;hf.son,  on  her  oatli,  acrnrdinir  to  law,  bein<i 
taken  before  John  Wilkius,  iv-:(i.,  one  of  tho  tominonwealt'rs 
justices  of  tho  peace  in  and  for  the  county  of  Allecrhany.  de- 
poseth  and  saith,  ihiil  on  th<'  t22d  day  of  this  instant  she  was 
taken  from  Iht  own  house,  within  twf)  hundred  yard-  of  [Jeed's 
block-house,  which  is  called  twenty-five  miles  fVoin  Piits!)urL!h  ; 
her  husband,  beinq;  one  of  the  spies,  was  from  home;  two  of 
the  scouts  had  Iixlu^cd  with  her  that  nlLfht,  inii  had  lel't  her 
iiouse  about  sunrise,  in  order  to  go  to  the  block-hoiis(>,  and  had 
left  the  door  standing'  wide  open.  Shortly  after  the  two  scouts 
Avent  away,  a  number  of  Indians  ciime  iruo  the  house  and  drew 
her  out  of  bed  l)y  tin'  feet;  the  two  eldest  (diildr"n,  who  also 
lay  in  another  bed,  were  drawn  out  in  the  same  maniu'r  ;  a 
young.or  child,  about  one  year  old,  slept  with  the  deponent. 

30 


i     ! 


ll 


t 


I 


•  I 


I; 


s  r: 


350 


HERBESON,   1792. 


The  Indians  ihen  scrambled  about  the  articles  in  the  house  ; 
v/hcn  they  were  at  this  work,  the  deponent  went  out  of  the 
house,  and  hoUowed  to  the  people  in  the  block-house  ;  one  of 
the  indiiins  then  ran  up  and  stopped  iicr  mouth,  another  ran 
up  with  h's  tomahawk  drawn,  and  a  third  ran  and  seized  the 
tomahawk  and  called  her  his  squaw  ;  this  last  Indian  ilaimed 
her  as  his,  and  continued  by  her.  About  lifteen  of  the  Indians 
then  ran  down  towards  the  block-house,  and  fired  their  ntms 
at  the  block  and  store  houM-,  in  consequence  of  which  one  sol- 
dier was  killed,  and  another  wounded,  one  having  been  at  the 
spring,  and  the  other  in  coming  or  looking  out  of  the  store- 
house. This  deponent  then  told  the  Indians  there  were  about 
forty  men  in  the  block-house,  and  each  man  had  two  guns;  the 
Indians  then  went  to  them  that  were  firing  at  the  block-house. 
and  brought  them  back,  They  then  began  to  drive  the  depo- 
nent and  her  children  away  ;  but  a  boy  about  three  years  old, 
being  unwilling  to  leave  the  house,  they  took  by  the  heels,  and 
dashed  it  against  the  house,  then  stabbed  and  scalped  it. 
They  then  took  the  deponent  and  the  two  other  children  to  the 
top  of  the  hill,  where  they  stopped  until  thf  y  tied  up  the  plun- 
der they  had  got.  While  they  were  bus}  about  this,  the  de- 
ponent counted  them,  and  the  number  am  mted  to  thirty-two, 
including  two  white  men  that  were  witl*i  them,  painted  like 
the  Indians. 

That  several  of  the  Indians  >:ould  speak  English,  and  that 
she  knew  three  or  four  of  them  very  well,  having  o^ten  seen 
them  go  up  and  down  the  Alleghany  river;  two  of  them  she 
knew  to  be  Senecas,  and  two  Munsees,  who  had  got  their  gu'^s 
mended  by  her  husband  about  two  yeaio  ago.  That  they  sent 
two  Indians  with  her,  and  the  others  took  their  course  towards 
Puckty.  That  she,  the  children,  and  the  two  Indians  had  not 
gone  above  two  hundred  yards,  when  the  Indians  caught  two 
of  her  uncle's  horses,  put  her  and  the  youngest  child  on  one, 
ana  one  of  the  Indians  and  the  other  (diild  on  the  other.  That 
the  two  Indians  then  took  her  and  tlie  children  to  the  Allen-ha- 
ny  river,  and  took  them  over  in  bark  canoe::,  as  they  could  not 
get  the  horses  to  swim  the  river.  After  the  had  crossed  the 
river,  the  oldest  child,  a  boy  of  about  five  years  of  aire,  began 
to  mourn  for  his  brother  ;  one  of  the  liulians  then  tomahawked 
and  scalped  him.  That  they  travelled  all  day  very  hard,  and 
that  night  arrived  at  a  large  camp  covered  with  baric,  which, 
by  appearance,  might  hold  fifty  men  ;  that  the  camp  appeared 
to  have  been  occupied  some  tim(\  it  was  very  much  beaten,  and 
large  beaten  paths  went  out  in  diflerent  directions  from  it ;  that 
night  they  took  her  about  three  hundred  yards  from  the  camp, 
into  a  large  dark  bottom,  bound  her  arms,  gave  her  some  bed 


I- 


p 


HERBESON,   17'.)2. 


351 


he  house ; 
out  of  the 
^e  ;  one  of 
notlicr  ran 

cized  tho 
111  I'laiined 
iie  Imlians 
tlioir  ouns 
h  one  sol- 
ice  n  at  the 

the  store- 
vere  about 

guns;  the 
ocli-house, 
'  th(.'  depo- 

years  okl, 
heels,  and 
scalped  it. 
Iren  to  the 
)  the  plun- 
li.s,  the  de- 
thirty-two, 
linted  like 

1,  and  that 
o^teti  seen 
'  them  she 
their  gu"s 
t  they  sent 
se  towards 
ns  had  not 
■aunht  two 
ild  on  one, 
ler.  That 
e  Allcgha- 
'  could  not 
•rosscd  the 
ig(\  began 
maliawked 

hard,  and 
rK,  which, 
')  appeared 
)eal(M),  and 
111  it ;   that 

the  camp, 
■  some  bed 


clothes,  and  lay  down  one  on  each  side  of  her.  That  the  next 
morning  they  took  her  into  a  thickt>t  on  the  hill-.-ide,  and  one 
remained  with  her  till  the  middle  of  the  day,  while  the  other 
went  to  watch  the  path,  lest  some  white  people  should  follow 
them.  They  then  exchanged  places  during  the  remainder  of 
the  day.  Slie  got  a  piece  of  dry  venison,  about  the  bulk  of  an 
egg,  that  day,  and  a  piece  about  the  same  size  the-  day  they 
were  marching.  Tiial  evening,  (Wednosday,  tlu  2'M.)  they 
moved  her  to  a  new  place,  and  secured  her  as  the  nigiu  before. 
During  the  day  of  the  23d,  she  made  several  altemp  s  to  g(>t 
the  Indian's  gun  or  lomaliawk,  that  was  guanling  her,  and, 
could  she  have  got  either,  she  would  have  put  him  to  death. 
She  was  nearly  detected  in  trying  to  get  the  ton)ahawk  from 
his  belt. 

The  next  m(jrning  (Thursday)  one  (»f  the  Indians  went  out 
as  on  the  day  before  to  watch  the  path.  The  other  lay  down 
and  fell  asleep.  When  she  found  he  was  sleeping,  she  stole 
her  short  gown,  handkerchief  and  a  child's  frock,  and  then  made 
her  escape.  The  sun  was  then  about  half  an  hour  high..  That 
she  took  her  course  from  the  Alleghany,  in  order  to  deceive  the 
Indians,  as  iliey  would  naturally  pursue  her  that  way  ;  that 
day  she  travelled  along  Conequenessing  creek.  The  next  day 
she  altered  her  course,  and,  as  she  belie-  "S,  fell  upon  tlie  waters 
of  Pine  creek,  which  empties  into  the  .^.lleghany.  Thinking 
this  not  her  best  course,  look  over  some  dividing  ridges,  fell 
in  on  the  heads  of  Squaw  run,  she  lay  on  a  dividing  ridge  on 
Friday  niglu,  and  on  Saturday  came  to  Scpiaw  run,  continued 
down  the  run  until  an  India.!,  or  some  other  person,  shot  at  a 
deer  ;  she  saw  the  person  about  one  hundred  and  (ifty  yards 
from  her,  the  deer  running  and  the  dog  pursuing  it,  which,  from 
the  appearance,  she  supposed  to  be  an  Indian  dog. 

She  then  altered  her  course,  but  again  came  to  the  same  run, 
and  continucMl  down  il  until  she  got  so  tired  that  she  was 
obliged  to  lie  down,  it  !iaving  rained  on  her  all  that  day  and 
the  night  before.  She  lay  there  that  night ;  it  rained  constantly. 
On  Sunday  nmrnintr  she  proceeded  down  the  run  until  she 
came  to  the  Alleghany  river,  and  continued  down  the  river  till 
she  came  opposite  to  Carter's  house,  on  the  inhabited  side, 
where  she  made  a  noise,  and  James  Closier  brought  her  over 
the  river  to  Carter's  house. 

This  deponent  furtluT  say?  that,  in  conversing  with  one  of 
the  Indians,  that  could  talk  English  very  well,  which  she  sus- 
pects to  be  George  .lelloway,  he  asked  her  if  ^-he  knew  the 
prisoner  that  was  taken  by  Jeffers  and  his  Senecas,  and  in  jail 
in  Pittsburgli.  She  answered  no  ;  he  said,  you  lie.  She  again 
said  she  knew  nothing'-  about  him  :  he  said  she  did,  that  he  was 


-  ,**•' 


352 


SERGEANT  MUNSON'S  CArTIVITV 


I  ■  k 


Ii  ''  M 


a  spy,  and  a  Cfreat  captain  ;  lliat  ho  took  Butler's  scalp,  and 
that  they  would  have  him  or  twenty  scalps;  he  ai^ain  said  that 
they  would  exchani(c  for  him  ;  that  he  and  two  more  were  sent 
out  to  see  what  the  Americans  were  doing- ;  that  they  came 
round  from  Detroit  to  Venani^o.  The  Indian  tof)k  paper,  and 
showed  her  that  he,  at  fort  Pitt,  could  write  and  draw  on  it; 
he  also  asked  her  if  a  campaign  was  going  out  ngainsl  the  In- 
dians this  summer  ;  she  said  no.  He  called  lier  a  liar,  and 
said  they  were  going  out,  and  that  the  Indians  would  serve 
them  as  thoy  did  last  year  ;  lie  also  said  the  Eiitrlish  had  guns, 
ammunition,  ice.  to  give  ihem  to  go  to  war,  and  that  they  had 
given  them  ))lenty  lat^t  year;  this  deponent  also  says  that  she 
saw  one  of  the  Indians  have  Capt.  Crih's  sword,  which  she 
well  knew.  That  one  of  the  Indians  asked  her  if  she  knew 
Thomas  (jJirly;  she  said  she  did  ;  he  tlien  said  that  Girly  lived 
near  fort  Pitt ;  that  he  was  a  good  man,  init  not  as  good  as  his 
hrother  at  Detroit;  liut  that  his  wife  was  a  bad  woman;  she 
tells  lies  on  the  Indians,  and  is  a  friend  to  Am(?rica.  Sworn 
before  me  the  day  and  year  first  above  written. 

JOHN  WILKINS. 


NARRATIVE 


OF  THE  CAPTIVITY  AND  ESCAPE  OF  SERGEANT  LENT  MUN- 
SON,  WHO  FELL  INTO  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  WESTERN  IN- 
DIANS AT  THE  TIME  OF  LIEUT.  LOWRY'S  DEFEAT. 

As  Lieut.  Lowry  and  ensign  Boyd,  with  about  one  hundred 
men,  were  escorting  two  hundred  and  hfty  pack'  horses  with 
provisions  from  fort  Sf.  Clair  to  General  Wayne's  camp,  (six 
miles  in  advance  of  fort  Jeflbrson,)  they  were  furiously  assailed 
by  about  half  their  number  of  concealed  Indians,  and  totally 
defeated.  They  had  encamped  four  miles  on  their  journey  on 
the  night  of  the  16th  of  Ocutbcr,  1793,  and  were  sulliciently 
warned  during  the  whole  night  of  what  they  had  to  undergo  at 
early  dawn.  However,  no  attack  was  made  until  the  detach- 
ment was  about  ready  to  march  on  the  morning  of  the  17th. 
At  this  juncture  the  Indians  rushed  upon  them  with  great  fury, 
and  after  a  short  but  bloody  eiigagement  the  whites  were  dis- 
persed in  every  direction.  In  this  onset  Lieut.  Lowry  and 
ensign  Boyd  both  fell  mortally  wounded,  and  about  twenty  of 
their  men  were  among  the  slain.  The  rest  of  this  unfortunate 
escort,  excepting  eleven,  who  were  taken  prisoners,  got  oack  to 


SERGEANT  MUNSONS  CAniVlTY. 


353 


?calp,  and 
:  said  that 
were  sent 
hey  came 
lapcr,  and 
aw  on  it ; 
St  the  In- 
i  liar,  and 
)uld  serve 
had  guns, 
tht^y  had 
s  that  she 
.'hich  she 
she  knew 
irty  lived 
)otl  as  his 
nan  ;  sho 
Swo]  n 

KINS. 


NT  MUN- 
^ERN   IN- 


hundred 
rses  with 
amp,  (six 
^  assailed 
id  totally 
urney  on 
diciently 
iiderofo  at 
e  detach- 
the  17th. 
eat  fnry, 
vere  dis- 
)wry  and 
wenty  of 
fortunate 
t  uack  to 


,. 


fort  St.  Clair.  To  the  smallness  of  the  number  of  the  Indians 
is  to  be  attributed  the  escape  of  any. 

Sergeant  Munson  was  one  of  the  eleven  prisoners,  and  was 
hurried  off  with  his  companions  towards  the  country  of  the 
Ottawas,  to  which  nation  of  Indians  tiiis  party  helonged.  They 
had  not  proceeded  far  when  one  of  the  prisoners,  being  but  a 
boy,  and  weakly,  was  murdered  and  left  on  the  way.  The 
remaining  ten  were  then  distributed  among  their  captors. 
These  all  had  their  heads  shaved,  which  u.Dong  the  Ottawas 
denoted  they  were  lo  serve  as  slaves. 

The  residence  of  these  Indians  was  upon  the  river  then  called 
the  Maumee,,  since,  the  Miami  of  the  lakes,  about  thirty  n)ilcs 
from  its  mouth  at  lake  Erie.  Here  Mr.  Munson  was  kept 
until  the  next  June,  performing  the  drudgery  of  the  Indians, 
without  anything  very  remarkable,  for  eight  months,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  made  his  escape  in  the  following  manner  : — 
He  had  learned  so  much  of  their  language  that  he  could  un- 
derstand much  of  their  conversation,  and  he  now  learned  tliat 
they  were  highly  elated  at  the  prospect  of  meeting  and  cutting 
off  the  army  of  Gen.  Wayne,  as  they  had  that  of  Harmer  and 
St.  Clair  before.  They  boasted  that  "  they  were  fifteen  hun- 
dred strong,  and  that  they  would  soon  cut  Wayne's  army  to 
pieces."  They  talked  with  the  utmost  contempt  of  the  whites; 
said  they  lied  about  their  numbers,  and  that  "  their  armies  were 
made  up  of  cowards  and  boys." 

The  warriors  were  now  preparing  to  march  to  the  Au  Glaize, 
to  make  a  stand  against  Gen.  Wayne,  and  Mr.  Munson  anx- 
iously awaited  their  departure,  hoping  by  their  absence  he  might 
take  advantage  and  escape.  His  wishes  were  soon  gratified; 
for  on  the  12th  of  June,  1794,  the  warriors  left  the  village,  and 
he  took  every  precaution  for  flight.  Accordingly,  '(w^i  days 
after,  having  prepared  a  canoe  several  miles  below  the  village, 
on  the  river,  under  pretence  of  a  hunting  expedition  he  escaped 
to  it,  and  in  the  night  made  all  the  exertions  he  v/as  master  of 
to  reach  the  lake,  which  he  did  in  two  nights  ;  not  daring  to 
sail  during  the  day,  for  fear  of  discovery,  but  slyly  drawing  up 
his  canoe  at  the  approach  of  morning,  patiently  waited  until 
the  next  night.  And  thus  he  found  his  way  to  Niagara,  and 
thence  to  his  friends  in  Connecticut,  without  material  accident, 
where  he  arrived  towards  the  end  of  July,  1794,  after  eight 
months'  captivity. 


30=»«= 


r;r,i 


S 


h 


h 


U  6  ii  O  L  A 


355 


NARRATIVE 


il 


I 


» 


OF  THE  ESCAPE  OF  RANSOM  CLARK,  (OF  LIVINCSTOX  COUN- 
TY, NEW  ^()RK,)  FROM  THE  MASSACRE  IN  WHICH  MAJOR 
DADE  AND  HIS  COMMAND  WERE  Cl'T  OFF  iiV  THE  SEMI- 
NOLE INDIANS,  IN  FLORIDA,  on  llio  2M\i  Dec.  r^r, ;  ns  coiniiiuni- 
catcd  by  himself,  while  on  a  visit  to  Boston  in  the  snnimer  of  1SJ7,  to  the 
editor  of  t!ie  Morning  Post. 

[A  lull  ami  particular  history  of  the  Florida  War  will  he  found  in  my 
Book  of  the  Indians,  tot;ether  with  other  Indian  afl'airs. — Etl.) 

Our  detachment,  coiisistino^  of  one  hnntlretl  iind  .^ievonteen 
men,  under  connnand  (»f  Major  Dade,  started  from  fort  Brooke, 
Tampa  Bay,  on  the  23d  of  December,  and  arrived  at  the  scene 
of  action  about  eio-ht  'clock  on  the  tnorninG;  of  tlie  2Sih.  It 
was  on  the  edge  of  a  pond,  three  miles  from  the  spot  where  we 
had  bivouacked  on  the  night  previous.  The  pond  was  sur- 
rounded by  tall  grass,  brush  and  small  trees.  A  moment  be- 
fore we  were  surprised,  Major  Dade  said  to  us,  "  We  have  now 
got  through  all  danger  ;  keep  up  good  heart,  and  when  we  get 
to  fort  King,  I  '11  give  you  three  days  for  Christmas." 

At  this  time  we  were  in  a  path  or  trail  on  the  border  of  the 
pond,  an'  the  first  notice  that  we  received  of  the  presence  of 
the  enemy  was  the  discharge  of  a  rifle  by  their  chief,  as  a  sig- 
nal to  commence  the  attack.  The  pond  was  on  our  right,  and 
the  Indians  were  scattered  round,  in  a  semicircle,  on  our  left, 
in  the  rear  and  in  advance,  reaching  at  the  two  latter  points 
to  the  edge  of  the  pond;  but  leaving  an  opening  for  our  en- 
trance tm  the  path,  and  a  similar  opening  on  the  other  extrem- 
ity for  the  egress  of  our  advance  guard,  v.hich  was  permitted 
to  pass  through  without  being  fired  on,  and  of  course  uncon- 
scious of  the  ambuscade  through  which  they  had  marched. 
At  tlie  time  of  the  attack  this  guard  was  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
advance,  the  main  body  following  in  column  two  deep.  The 
chief's  rifle  was  followed  by  ageneial  discharge  from  his  men, 
and  Major  Dade,  Captain  Frazier  and  Lieut.  Mudge,  together 
with  several  non-commissioned  ofiicers  and  privates,  were 
brought  down  by  the  lirst  volley.  Our  rear  guard  had  a  six- 
pounder,  which,  as  soon  as  possible,  Avas  hauled  up,  and  brought 
to  bear  upon  the  ground  occupied  by  ihe  uiiseen  enemy,  se- 
creted among  the  grass,  brush,  and  trees.  The  discharge  of 
the  cannon  checked  and  made  them  fall  back  for  about  half  an 
hour.  About  twelve  of  us  advanced  and  brought  in  our  dead. 
Among  the  wounded  was  Lieut.  Mudge,  who  was  speechless. 


! 


I 


i!^ 


f'H. 


^;^^i 


ji'i 


356 


ESCAPE   OF  RANSOM  CLARK. 


We  set  him  up  against  a  tree,  and  he  was  found  there  two 
months  after,  when  Gen.  Gaines  sent  a  detachment  to  bury  the 
bodies  of  our  soldiers.  All  hands  then  commenced  throwing 
up  a  small  triangular  breastwork  of  logs  ;  but,  just  as  we  had 
raised  it  about  two  feet,  the  Indians  returned  and  renewed  the 
engagement.  A  part  of  our  troops  fought  within  the  breast- 
work, and  a  part  outside.  I  remained  outside  till  I  received  a 
ball  in  my  right  arm,  and  another  near  my  right  temple,  which 
came  out  at  the  top  of  my  head.  I  next  received  a  shot  in  my 
thigh,  which  brought  me  down  on  my  side,  and  I  then  got  into 
the  breastwork.  We  gave  them  forty-nine  discharges  from  the 
cannon  ;  and  while  loading  for  the  fiftieth,  and  the  last  shot  we 
had,  our  match  went  out.  The  Indians  chiefly  levelled  at  the 
men  who  worked  the  cannon.  In  the  mean  time  the  main  body 
of  our  troops  kept  up  a  general  fire  with  musketry. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  must  have  been  very  great,  because 
we  never  fired  until  we  fixed  on  our  men ;  but  the  cannon  was 
necessarily  fired  at  random,  as  only  two  or  three  Indians  ap- 
peared together.  When  the  firing  commenced,  the  van-guard 
wheeled,  and,  in  returning  to  the  main  body,  were  entirely  cut 
up.  The  battle  lasted  till  about  four  in  the  afternoon,  and  I 
was  about  the  last  man  who  handled  a  gun,  while  lying  on  my 
side.  At  the  close  I  received  a  shot  in  mv  right  shoulder, 
which  passed  into  my  lungs ;  the  blood  gushed  out  of  my 
mouth  in  a  stream,  and,  dropping  my  musket,  I  rolled  over  on 
my  face.  The  Indians  then  entered  the  breastwork,  but  found 
not  one  man  standing  to  defend  it.  They  secured  the  arms, 
ammunition,  and  the  cannon,  and  despatched  such  of  our  fallen 
soldiers  as  they  supposed  still  to  be  alive.  Their  negroes  then 
came  in  to  strip  the  dead.  I  had  by  this  time  somewhat  reviv- 
ed, and  a  negro,  observing  that  I  was  not  dead,  took  up  a  mus- 
ket, and  shot  me  in  the  top  of  the  shoulder,  and  the  ball  came 
out  at  my  back.  After  firing,  he  said,  "  Dere,  d — n  you,  take 
dat."     He  then  stripped  me  of  every  thing  but  my  shirt. 

The  enemy  then  disappeared  to  the  left  of  the  pond,  and, 
through  weakness  and  apprehension,  I  remained  still,  till  about 
nine  o'clock  at  night.  I  then  commenced  crawling  on  my 
knees  and  left  hand.  As  I  was  crawling  over  the  dead,  I  put 
my  hand  on  one  man  who  felt  different  from  the  rest;  he  was 
warm  and  limber.  I  roused  him  up,  and  found  it  was  De 
Courcy,  an  Englishman,  and  the  son  of  a  British  officer,  resi- 
dent in  Canada.  I  told  him  that  it  was  best  for  us  to  attempt 
to  travel,  as  the  danger  appeared  to  be  over,  and  we  might  fall 
in  with  assistance. 

As  he  was  only  wounded  in  the  side  and  arm,  he  could  walk 
a  little.     We  got  along  as  well  as  we  could  that  night,  contin- 


THOMPSON'S  ESCAPE. 


357 


lere  two 
bury  the 
hrowing 
I  we  had 
?wed  the 
3  breast- 
ccivod  a 
e,  which 
ot  in  my 
got  into 
from  the 
t  shot  we 
ed  at  the 
lain  body 

,  because 
in  on  was 
ilians  ap- 
nn-guard 
tirely  cut 
on,  and  I 
\g  on  my 
shoulder, 
It  of  my 
1  over  on 
3ut  found 
he  arms, 
)ur  fallen 
roes  then 
lat  reviv- 
p  a  mus- 
3all  came 
y'ou,  take 
irt. 

ond,  and, 
till  about 
on  my 
ad,  I  put 
he  was 
was  De 
cer,  resi- 
0  attempt 
night  fall 

uld  walk 
t,  contin- 


I 


1 

k 


ued  on  till  next  noon,  when,  on  a  rising  ground,  we  observed 
an  Indian  ahead,  on  horseback,  loading  his  ride.  Wo  agreed 
that  he  should  go  on  one  side  of  the  road  and  I  on  the  oilier. 
The  Indian  look  at'ler  De  Couroy,  and  I  hoard  ihe  dixharge 
of  his  ride.  This  gave  me  time  to  crawl  into  a  hammock  and 
hide  away.  The  Indian  soon  returned  with  his  arms  and  k'gs 
covered  with  blood,  having,  no  doubt,  according  to  cuslom,  cut 
De  Coiircy  to  pieces  after  bringiiiij:  hiui  down  with  his  ride. 
The  Indian  came  riding  through  the  brush  in  i)ur>uil  of  n.e, 
and  ai)proached  within  ten  feel,  but  gave  up  tlie  search.  I 
then  resumed  my  route  back  to  fort  Brooke,  crawled  and  limped 
throuL;li  ihe  nights  and  forenoons,  and  >lept  in  the  brush  (lur- 
ing llie  middle  of  the  day,  with  no  oilier  nourisluneut  than  cold 
wai(?r.  I  gol  lo  fort  Brooke  on  the  evening  of  the  til'ili  diiy  ; 
and  ill  live  months  afterwards  was  discharged  as  a  pensioner, 
at  eight  dollars  jier  month.  The  doctor  attributes  my  not  dy- 
ing of  my  wounils  to  the  circumstance  that  I  blt>d  a  ijfood  deal, 
and  did  not  jiartake  of  any  solid  food  during''  the  live  first  days. 
Two  other  soldiers,  by  the  names  of  Thomas  and  Sprague, 
also  came  in  afterwards.  Although  badly  wounded,  they  as- 
cended a  tree,  and  thus  escaped  the  enemy,  on  the  evening  of 
the  battle.  They  joined  another  expedition,  two  months  after, 
but  before  their  wounds  were  healed,  and  they  soon  died  of 
them. 


THE    FOLLOWING 

NARRATIVE  OF  ONE  OF  THE  MOST  EXTRAORDINARY  ES- 
CAPES FROM  A  DREADFUL  DEATH,  ANYWHERE  RECORDED, 
IS  CONTAINED  IN  A  LETTER  WRITTEN  BY  THE  SUFFERER 
TO  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  CHARLESTON  (S.  C.)  COURIER, 
IMMEDIATELY  AFTER  IT  HAPPENED.  IT  TOOK  PLACE  AT 
CAPE  FLORIDA  LIGHTHOUSE,  IN  is;if.. 

On  the  23d  of  July  last,  about  four  P.  M.,  as  I  was  going 
from  the  kitchen  to  the  dwelling-house,  I  discovered  a  large 
body  of  Indians  within  twenty  yards  of  mc,  back  of  the  kitch- 
en. I  ran  for  the  lighthouse,  and  calit  d  out  to  the  old  negro 
man  that  was  with  me  to  run,  for  the  Itidians  were  near;  at 
that  moment  they  discharged  a  volley  of  ride  balls,  which  cut 
my  clothes  and  hat,  and  perforated  the  door  in  many  places. 
We  got  in,  and  as  I  was  turning  the  key  the  savages  had  hold 
of  the  door.  I  stationed  the  negro  at  the  door,  with  orders  to 
let  me  know  if  they  attempted  to  break  in  ;  I  then  took  my 
three  muskets,  which  were  loaded  with  ball  and  buck-shot,  and 
went  to  the  second  window.     Seeing  a  large  body  of  them  op- 


i^ 


358 


ESCAPE   OF 


posite  the  dwelling-house,  I  discharc^ed  my  muskets  in  succes- 
sion amonii'  them,  which  put  them  in  some  confusion  ;  they 
then,  for  the  second  time,  hoiran  their  horrid  yells,  and  in  a 
rT,inut(!  no  sash  or  j^lass  was  left  al  tlie  window,  for  they  vented 
their  rai^e  al  that  spot.  I  fired  at  them  from  some  of  the  other 
windows,  nnd  from  the  top  of  the  house ;  in  fact,  I  lired  wlien- 
ever  I  could  get  an  Indian  for  a  mark".  I  kept  them  from  the 
house  until  dark. 

They  then  poured  in  a  heavy  fin-  at  all  the  windows  ami 
lantern  ;  that  was  the  lime  they  set  fire  to  the  door  and  window 
even  with  the  ground.  The  window  was  hoarded  up  with  plank 
and  filled  mo  with  stone  inside  ;  but  the  (lames  s))rea(l  fast, 
hcMU'"  ^ed.  wnh  yellow  pine  wood.  'J'heir  balls  had  ])erforated 
the  1  ;?il  ,  of  oil,  consisliii!!'  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-live 
gallon  tny  -edding,  clolhirg,  and  in  fact  every  thing  I  had, 
was  soaived  in  v  1  stoppet  at  the  door  until  driven  away  by 
the  flames.  I  then  took  a  kcLi;  of  i^ninpowder,  iny  balls,  and 
one  musket  to  the  top  of  the  house,  then  went  below,  and  be- 
gan to  cut  away  the  stairs  about  half  way  up  from  the  bottom. 
I  had  difficulty  in  getting  the  old  negro  up  the  space  I  had 
already  cut ;  but  the  flames  now  drove  me  from  my  labor,  and 
I  retreated  to  the  top  of  the  house.  I  covered  over  the  scuttle 
that  leads  to  the  lantern,  which  kept  the  fire  from  me  for  some 
time;  at  last  the  awful  moment  arrived,  the  crackling  flames 
burnt  around  me,  the  savages  at  the  same  time  began  their 
hellish  yells.  My  poor  old  negro  looked  to  me  with  tears  in 
his  eyes,  but  could  not  speak  ;  we  went  out  of  the  lantern,  and 
lay  down  on  the  edge  of  the  platform,  two  feet  wide ;  the  lan- 
tern now  was  full  of  flame,  the  lamps  and  glasses  bursting  and 
flying  in  all  directions,  my  clothes  on  fire,  and  to  move  from 
the  place  where  I  was  would  be  instant  death  from  their  rifles. 
My  flesh  was  roasting,  and  to  put  an  end  to  my  horrible  suf- 
fering, I  got  up,  threw  the  keg  of  gunpowder  down  the  scuttle 
— instantly  it  exploded,  and  shook  the  tower  from  the  top  to 
the  bottom.  It  had  not  the  desired  effect  of  blowing  me  into 
eternity,  but  it  threw  down  the  stairs  and  all  the  wooden  work 
near  the  top  of  the  house  ;  it  damped  the  fire  for  a  moment, 
but  it  soon  blazed  as  fierce  as  ever  ;  the  negro  man  said  he  was 
wounded,  which  was  the  last  word  he  spoke. 

By  this  time  I  had  received  some  wounds  myself;  and  find- 
ing no  chance  for  my  life,  for  I  was  roasting  alive,  I  took  the 
determination  to  jump  off.  I  got  up,  went  outside  the  iron 
railing,  recommending  my  soul  to  God,  and  was  on  the  point 
of  going  head  foremost  on  the  rocks  below,  when  something 
dictated  to  me  to  return  and  lie  down  again.  I  did  so,  and  in 
two  minutes  the  fire  fell  to  the  bottom  of  the  house.     It  is  a 


JOHN  W.  B.  THOMPSON. 


359 


siirccs- 
n  ;  ihey 
uul  ill  a 
;  vented 
lie  other 
fl  wlieii- 
Voin  the 

ows  !uul 
window 
ih  j)lauk 
ead  fast, 
^rfomted 
LMity-live 
ir  I  had, 
away  hy 
all.'^,  and 
and  bc- 
!  bottom, 
ce  I  had 
ibor,  and 
e  scuttle 
for  some 
g  flames 
an  their 
tears  in 
em,  and 
the  lan- 
tin£T  and 
)ve  from 
ir  rifles, 
bio  snf- 
e  scuttle 
le  top  to 
me  into 
on  work 
noment, 
he  was 

ind  find- 
took  the 
the  iron 
he  point 
mething 
I,  an(' 


\ 


1  in 


It  i^ 


s  a 


remarkable  cirtMunstance,  tlial  not  one  ball  struck  me  when  I 
stood  up  outside  the  railin£,^  althouirh  they  were  flyini::  all 
around  me  like  hail-stones.  I  found  tli(>  old  ncjio  luati  dead, 
beinu"  shot  in  several  places,  and  litrrally  roa-'i'd.  A  few 
ininules  after  the  fire  fcdl,  a  still'  brec/r  sprung;'  up  from  the  south- 
ward, which  was  a  i.i^reai  blessing'  to  me.  1  had  to  lie  where  I 
was,  for  1  couKl  n<»t  wa'lc,  havinir  rci'eivcd  six  rille  ball>.  three 
in  each  foot.  Th"  Indians,  thinkimr  me  dead,  led  th<'  liirht- 
house,  ami  set  lire  to  the  dwellinuf-housc,  Kiirlu-u  and  other 
out-hoiises,  and  befjan  to  carry  tlndr  jihindor  to  the  beach  ;  they 
took  all  the  empty  barrels,  the  drawers  of  the  bnreaus,  ami  in 
fact  every  thinir  that  would  act  as  a  vessel  to  hold  any.  thing'; 
my  provisions  were  in  the  lighthouse,  except  a  barrel  of  flour, 
which  tlu'y  took  oil'.  The  next  morninir  they  hanled  out  of 
th'"  liL:"hlhouse,  by  means  of  a  pole,  the  tin  that  composed  the 
oil  tank.-,  no  doubt  to  make  grates  to  manufacture  the  coonly 
root  into  what  we  call  arrow  root.  A  ^r  loadinir  mv  little 
sloo]),  about  ten  or  twelve  went  into  hei  ;  ,e  rest  took  to  the 
beach  to  meet  at  the  other  end  of  the  lan('.  This  happened, 
as  1  judge,  about  ten,  A.  M.  My  eyes  being  much  atlected, 
prevented  me  from  knowiiiir  their  actual  force,  but  1  judge  there 
were  from  forty  to  fifty,  perhaps  more.  I  v/as  now  almost  as 
bad  off'  as  before  ;  a  burning  fever  oi  ne,  my  feet  shot  to  pieces, 
no  clothes  to  cover  me,  nothing  to  eat  or  drink,  a  hot  sun  over- 
head, a  dead  man  by  my  side,  no  friend  near  or  any  to  expect, 
and  placed  between  seventy  and  eighty  feet  from  the  earth,  and 
no  chance  of  getting  down,  my  situation  was  truly  horrible. 
About  twelve  o'clock,  I  thought  I  could  perceive  a  vessel  not  far 
off';  I  took  a  piece  of  the  old  negro's  trowsers  that  had  escaped 
the  flames  by  being  wet  with  blood,  and  made  a  signal. 

Some  time  in  the  afternoon,  I  saw  two  boats  with  my  sloop 
in  tow  coming  to  the  landing.  I  had  no  doubt  but  they  were 
Indians,  having  seen  my  signal,  and  had  returned  to  finish 
their  murderous  design  ;  but  it  proved  to  be  boats  of  the  United 
Stales  schooner  blotto,  Capt.  Armstronof,  with  a  detachment 
of  seamen  and  marines,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Lloyd, 
of  the  sloop-of-war  Concord.  They  had  retaken  my  sloop, 
after  the  Indians  had  stripped  her  of  her  sails  and  rigging,  and 
every  thing  of  conserpience  belonL'"ing  to  her;  thev  informed 
me  they  heard  my  explosion  twelve  miles  oil',  and  ran  down  to 
my  assistance,  but  did  not  expect  to  find  nie  alive.  Those 
gentlemen  did  all  in  their  power  to  relieve  me,  but,  night  com- 
ing on,  they  r<'furned  on  board  the  Motto,  after  assuring  me  of 
their  assistance  in  the  morning. 

Next  morning,  ^londay,  July  -j,  three  boats  landed,  among 
them  Capt.  Cole,  of  the  schooner  Pee  Dee,  from  New  York. 


' 


360 


THOMPSONS   ESCAPE. 


They  liiul  injide  !i  kil»3  iluriiii,'  tlu-  iiii^-lil,  to  L''Pt  a  line  to  me, 
but  without  flll'cl;  they  then  lircd  tuint^  I'rotri  tlu-ir  unisK-fts, 
iiiiuh:  liisl  to  a  riirni'otl,  which  I  rcccive'il,  iuiil  haulcil  up  a  lail- 
block  and  iuM(h'  fast  round  an  iron  rtaufhion,  rovf  the  twine 
thr<»uu'h  iho  hlnck.  and  tli^y  bi-low,  by  that  means,  nivi'  a  two- 
inch  rope,  and  hoi-^trd  up  two  lucn,  who  xion  hindcd  inf  on 
terra  firnia.  1  must  statu  lierc,  that  the  Indians  had  niadi'  a 
ladder,  by  hishinuf  i)i('«i's  of  wood  across  liif  li<rhtniiii(  rod,  n(  ar 
forty  feet  from  the  ^TiHind,  as  it'  to  have  jny  scalp,  nolens  vo- 
lens.  This  happened  on  the  Iburtii.  After  1  L'ot  on  hoard  llie 
Motto,  every  man,  (rom  the  ca])tain  to  the  cooic,  tri(>d  to  alle- 
viate jiiy  suirerinijs.  On  the  seventh,  1  was  received  in  the 
military  hospital,  throutrh  the  politeness  of  Lieut.  Alvord,  of 
the  fourth  reLnment  of  United  Stales  Infantry.  He  has  done 
every  thin^  to  make  iny  situation  as  comfortalije  as  possible. 

I  must  not  omit  here  to  return  my  thanks  to  the  citizens  of 
Key  West,  jLjenerally,  for  their  symj)athy  and  kind  offers  of  any 
thinij  I  would  wish,  that  it  was  in  tlndr  power  to  bestow.  Be- 
fore 1  b'ft  Key  West,  two  balls  were  extracted,  and  one  remains 
in  my  right  le^;  but,  since  I  am  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Ram- 
sey, who  has  paid  every  attention  to  me,  he  will  know  best 
whetlier  to  extract  it  or  not. 

These   lines  are  written  to  let   my  friends  know  that  1  am 
still  in  the  land  of  the  living,  and  am  now  in  Charleston,  S.  C, 
where  every  attention  is  paid  me.     Although  a  cripple,  I  can 
eat  my  allowance,  and  walk  about  without  the  use  of  a  cane. 
Kespectfully  yours, 

JOHN  W.  B.  THOMPSON. 


I 


[II 


n  f 


,  line  to  me, 
\r  iiniskf'tf, 
(1  up  ;i  tail- 
•f  the  twine 
rov  ii  two- 
lulcd  luc  on 
iuiJ  iiiiulo  a 
ng  rod,  IK  ar 

I,  Uoli'llS   vo- 

)M  hoard  the 
riod  to  alle- 
dvod  in  the 
Alvord,  of 
k"  has  done 
;  possible. 
3  citizens  of 
Dlfcrs  of  any 
c'stovv.  Be- 
one  remains 
if  Dr.  Ram- 
[  know  best 

w  that  1  am 

L'ston,  S.  C, 

ripple,  I  can 

of  a  cane. 

MPSON. 


